The Supreme Court on Thursday overturned a ruling by the Rajasthan High Court that had used its powers under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) to dismiss a sexual harassment case, citing a compromise between the accused and the survivor.

"The impugned order is quashed and set aside, FIR and criminal proceedings be proceeded with in accordance with law. We have not commented on the merits of the matter," the court noted, according to Bar and Bench.

The case dates back to October 2023 when the Rajasthan High Court accepted a plea filed by an accused who harassed a minor and quashed the criminal case after the e victim's and the accused's side reached to a compromise.

The verdict, which had been reserved in October 2023, addressed the issue of whether a High Court can use its powers under Section 482 of the CrPC to dismiss a sexual harassment case based on a compromise between the accused and the survivor.

The issue emerged from an appeal related to the harassment case of a 15-year-old girl, which had resulted in the filing of a first information report based on the father's complaint.

A compromise was later reached between the girl's family and the accused, following which the accused approached the Rajasthan High Court to have the case dismissed.

The Rajasthan High Court had accepted the plea and quashed the criminal case, according to Bar and Bench.

The petition filed in the Supreme Court was filed by an unaffected third party, Ramji Lal Bairwa, who has objected to the HC's order.

Earlier, the apex court had remarked that a plea cannot be filed by an unaffected party. However, the Court later decided to consider the issue and directed that both the accused and the survivor's father be included as parties to the case.