India, Jan. 9 -- Cases involving a public element cannot be quashed merely on the basis of a settlement between the accused and the complainant, Delhi High Court judge Prateek Jalan said on Thursday, even as he recused himself from hearing a quashing and anticipatory bail plea filed by a 51-year-old advocate accused of repeatedly raping and assaulting a 27-year-old woman lawyer and attempting to influence her through judicial officers.

Justice Jalan said the matter involved a "public element" as it had led to disciplinary proceedings against two judicial officers and the suspension of one of them by the Delhi High Court. He transferred the case to another bench, stating that he was involved in the administrative decisions taken against t...