Yes, the Supreme Court can quash an FIR in a domestic violence case, typically after the High Court's decision under Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) is challenged through a Special Leave Petition under Article 136 of the Constitution of India, with the Court exercising its powers under Article 142 to do complete justice where warranted. Domestic violence FIRs generally arise under Section 85 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, read with Section 86 BNS defining "cruelty," or under Section 31 of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 for breach of a protection order, and the Supreme Court's approach to quashing such FIRs mirrors the principles it applies to matrimonial cruelty matters generally.

The Supreme Court typically becomes involved only after the High Court has either declined to quash the FIR or granted quashing and that order is challenged by the complainant or State. It applies the same Bhajan Lal categories with full rigour, examining whether the High Court correctly assessed absence of offence, inherent improbability, malafide intent, or the vague, undifferentiated implication of family members flagged in Preeti Gupta v. State of Jharkhand. Where the Supreme Court finds the High Court erred, it corrects that error directly, exercising its constitutional powers to quash the FIR itself.

Settlement between the parties remains relevant before the Supreme Court as well, building on B.S. Joshi v. State of Haryana and Gian Singh v. State of Punjab, and the Court has used Article 142 to quash domestic violence FIRs and connected proceedings where genuine, comprehensive settlement exists, often alongside disposal of civil DV Act matters. If your High Court petition was unsuccessful and you are considering this route, speaking with our legal experts at Aapka Legal Advice can help evaluate whether your matter genuinely warrants Supreme Court intervention.

Approaching the Supreme Court is appropriate only after exhausting the High Court remedy, and the Court exercises its discretionary jurisdiction sparingly, intervening chiefly where there has been a clear misapplication of settled principles or a grave miscarriage of justice. Protective steps around anticipatory bail remain relevant throughout, particularly for Section 85 BNS charges.

Once quashing is secured, further recourse for malicious prosecution and defamation remains available where the complaint was knowingly false. A panel of retired Supreme Court and High Court judges is available for consultation alongside senior criminal lawyers experienced in domestic violence quashing matters at the apex court level, and you can review Top Criminal Lawyers in India | Aapka Legal Advice for counsel with this experience.

In summary, the Supreme Court can quash an FIR in a domestic violence case through Article 136 and Article 142, applying the same Bhajan Lal and settlement principles as the High Court but reserved for cases where the High Court's decision warrants correction. If your matter has reached this stage, the team at Aapka Legal Advice can help you evaluate the next steps.