HC directs man to do community service at de-addiction centre, quashes FIR in molestation case
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has directed a man accused of molesting and intimidating a woman to do community service at a de-addiction centre for a month to "atone for his sins".
The high court agreed to quash the criminal case against the man after noting that the woman does not want to pursue her complaint.
The court observed that in the present case, it is the victim who is the ultimate sufferer. She has been harassed by the petitioner and she is being further harassed in the proceedings initiated against the petitioner.
Justice Subramonium Prasad warned the man not to repeat such actions in the future and also imposed costs of Rs one lakh on him, to be paid within three weeks.
Looking at the facts and the conduct of the petitioner (man), this court is inclined to direct the petitioner to do some social service to atone for his sins. He is also warned not to repeat such actions in the future, the court said in its order passed on March 26.
"The petitioner is directed to do one-month community service at the de-addiction Centre run by the Society for Promotion of Youth & Masses Centre Darya Ganj from April 1 to April 30," it said.
In case of any absenteeism or default or misbehaviour on the man's part, it shall be conveyed immediately by the centre to the SHO concerned and the matter should be brought to the notice of the court for recall of the quashing order, it said.
The court said out of the costs of Rs one lakh, Rs 25,000 each should be given in the DHCBA Lawyers Social Security and Welfare Fund and Nirmal Chhaya Foundation and Rs 50,000 to the Army Welfare Fund Battle Casualties.
A criminal case was lodged against the man for the alleged offences of molestation and criminal intimidation on July 15, last year at Vikas Puri Police Station on the complaint of a woman that while she along with her colleagues was sitting at the PVR complex, the accused came to her and told her that he was a millionaire.
When he was rebuked and asked to go away, he left but after a few minutes, he returned and tried to speak to her, the complainant alleged, adding that, thereafter, the man held the woman's hand and twisted it.
It alleged that the man had hit the woman on her face and her spectacles fell. He also hit her with his bag, after which she raised an alarm and passersby gathered there and the man ran away.
On the basis of the woman's complaint, a case was registered and the man was arrested on July 21 last year and later released on bail.
The petition for quashing of FIR was filed in the high court by the man who stated that the two sides have reached a compromise and the woman too informed the court that she was not inclined to pursue the matter.
The court noted that a perusal of the complaint showed that the man acted in a very high-handed manner. It said there were CCTV footage that showed that he committed the offences of molestation and criminal intimidation and eye-witnesses to the incident.
The court said that after completion of one month of community service, a certificate should be filed by the de-addiction centre to show compliance of the order.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
