u/yuki1610

Hi everyone. I’m looking for some practical/legal guidance regarding an FIR registered against me in Maharashtra.
A dispute arose with a resident regarding community/stray cats around our building. There had been ongoing disagreements about feeding, cleaning, and cats entering the premises.
On 10 July 2026, there was an argument between me and the complainant. During the incident, I held her hand and blocked her way for a short period. I did not hit her face or punch her. The incident is captured on CCTV. There is no audio recording of me making any threats.
The complainant subsequently filed an FIR on 1 August 2026, around three weeks after the incident.
The FIR contains the following sections:
• BNS 115(2)

•	BNS 126(2)

•	BNS 351(2)

•	BNS 352

•	BNS 3(5)

The police have now served me with a BNSS Section 35(3) notice requiring me to cooperate with the investigation. I signed the notice acknowledging receipt. The police did not question me about the allegations at that time.
The investigation is still ongoing and no charge-sheet has been filed yet. My lawyer says it may take at least another month before the police complete the investigation and submit anything to the Magistrate.
There are also some allegations in the FIR that I dispute. For example, the complainant stated that I did not help clean the area, but I have WhatsApp conversations dating back to May showing that I did help her with cleaning. I also have CCTV evidence relating to the incident.
There were other events surrounding the dispute as well. Before the incident, the complainant's husband allegedly abused/threatened my parents over a phone call. After the incident, the complainant also repeatedly tried to record me and my mother on several occasions, including outside the society premises.
My lawyer's current advice is that the best option may be to try to settle with the complainant before the charge-sheet is filed, if she is willing. I understand that “taking back an FIR” isn't necessarily literally how the process works and that the appropriate legal procedure would need to be followed.
My main concern
I am planning to apply for a PCC and eventually for a Master's/student visa abroad (Germany/Singapore are possibilities).
My lawyer has told me that if a charge-sheet is filed, there will definitely be visa/PCC issues. I'm trying to understand how accurate that is.
Specifically:
1. If the investigation is ongoing and there is only an FIR, can I still obtain a clear PCC?

2.	If a charge-sheet is filed and the matter becomes a pending criminal case before a Magistrate, how does that affect PCC?

3.	Does a pending case automatically create a **travel restriction**, or would there need to be a separate court order?

4.	If the matter is properly **settled/compounded/quashed**, does that generally put me in a much better position for PCC and future student visas?

5.	If a settlement involves paying some amount, is that considered a **fine/conviction**, or is it legally different depending on the procedure used?

6.	Has anyone in India dealt with a similar situation where an FIR was pending but they subsequently obtained a PCC or student visa abroad?

I'm not asking for advice on how to evade the investigation. I will comply with the notice and cooperate. I'm mainly trying to understand the consequences for my education/immigration plans and whether attempting a lawful settlement before the charge-sheet is actually sensible.
I'd especially appreciate responses from Indian criminal lawyers, immigration lawyers, or people who have personally dealt with PCC/student-visa applications while a case was pending.
I have anonymised the names/details for privacy.