The Jharkhand High Court, led by Justice Sanjay Kumar Dwivedi, addressed writ petitions challenging rape-related proceedings, highlighting the necessity to prevent wrongful trials and protect innocent individuals from harassment. The case involved claims of sexual misbehavior linked to retaliation against an accused aiding a woman against a political figure. The Court ultimately quashed proceedings, condemning misuse of legal provisions.
Ranchi: The Jharkhand High Court, while hearing writ petitions challenging rape-related proceedings, emphasized its responsibility to “read between the lines” to prevent innocent individuals from undue harassment and wrongful trials. In his order, Justice Sanjay Kumar Dwivedi underscored the Court’s duty, stating,
“There is no doubt if a case is made out the High Court is not required to roam into to come to a conclusion that the case is not made out. However, at the same time if malicious prosecution is made… the High Court is having more responsibility to read the things in between the line so that any innocent person may not put to harassment and face a trial.”
Case Background
The case involved accusations by an informant who alleged that she had been promised a job as a ‘computer operator’ but was instead assigned domestic chores at the accused’s home in Ranchi. The informant claimed that the accused’s behavior progressively worsened, alleging that he made unwanted advances and attempted to coerce her into sexual acts. She further alleged that when she refused, she was verbally abused in caste-based terms.
However, the High Court noted evidence suggesting that the case may have been maliciously filed as retaliation for the accused’s involvement in aiding a woman against a high-profile political figure, a fact not contested by the respondent-State in their affidavit. The Court observed,
“The petitioner has helped a lady against the sitting Chief Minister of the Jharkhand State and that is why all this trap has been made… clearly suggesting malicious intent behind the charges.”
Misuse of Legal Provisions
Justice Dwivedi expressed concern about the misuse of legal provisions for personal vendettas, noting that “cases of this nature” detract from the legitimacy of genuine complaints. Referencing Supreme Court judgments, the Court concluded that allowing proceedings against the petitioner would constitute an abuse of legal process.
In light of these observations, the High Court quashed the proceedings, marking a significant stance on the judicial responsibility to protect against “frivolous” and “malicious” cases.
FOLLOW US FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES ON YOUTUBE
