Delhi High Court quashes FIR and fines woman Rs 20,000 for casually accusing her live-in partner of sexual assault. Court warns such misuse of law harms justice system.
New Delhi: In a recent judgment dated July 15, the Delhi High Court imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 on a woman who had filed a sexual offence case against her live-in partner. The Court held that filing such serious allegations in a casual or reckless manner affects not only the person accused but also the entire justice system.
As a result, the FIR against the man has been quashed following a mutual compromise between the two parties.
The matter was heard by Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, who observed that the case involved allegations under Sections 69 (sexual intercourse by employing deceitful means, etc.) and 351(2) (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
However, the woman and the man had since resolved their issues, and the complainant no longer wished to pursue the case.
During the hearing, the woman told the Court that she had lodged the complaint at a time when she was under medical and emotional stress.
Referring to her submission, the Court noted that her explanation had been “duly noted”, but emphasized the seriousness of the matter.
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The Court said,
“While this explanation (woman’s) has been duly noted, it is equally important to emphasise that the lodging of a complaint under Sections 69 and 351(2) of the BNS, involving serious allegations of physical assault and wrongful restraint, cannot be permitted to be filed in a casual or reckless manner.”
The Court further stated,
“Such allegations carry grave consequences and impact not only the accused but also the administration of justice.”
Justice Sharma made it clear that false or casual accusations can harm an individual’s reputation and the justice delivery mechanism as a whole.
She observed that if the accusations were made due to a genuine misunderstanding or emotional distress, forcing the accused to go through a criminal trial would be unjust.
The judge said,
“The continuation of criminal proceedings, despite the unwillingness of the complainant to pursue them and the subsequent settlement between the parties, would serve no useful purpose and would rather amount to an abuse of the process of law.”
Given the woman’s acknowledgment that the complaint was made based on a misunderstanding, and considering that she voluntarily entered into the relationship with the man, the Court imposed a fine.
The woman has been directed to deposit Rs 20,000 with the Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee within four weeks.
The case highlights the Court’s firm stand on protecting the sanctity of the criminal justice system while also acknowledging emotional distress and misunderstandings in relationships.
However, it sends a clear message that the law should not be misused or triggered without proper grounds.
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