Practice Of Lodging False FIRs Alleging Rape Has to Be Dealt With A Heavy Hand: Allahabad HC Imposes ₹10K Cost On A Woman
CASE TITLE: Shivam Kumar Pal @ Sonu Pal And 3 Others vs. State Of U.P. And 2 Others [CRIMINAL MISC. WRIT PETITION No. – 11560 of 2023]
DECIDED ON: 26.7.2023
CORAM: Hon’ble Anjani Kumar Mishra,J. Hon’ble Vivek Kumar Singh,J.
INTRODUCTION
Last week, the Allahabad High Court ordered a woman to pay a fine of Rs. 10,000. The woman had confessed to filing a false First Information Report (FIR) against four men, leveling charges of rape and unnatural sex against them.
The Court emphasized that the act of lodging FIRs with false and serious allegations of rape cannot be tolerated and should be severely dealt with.
FACTS
Subsequently, the Court granted approval to a writ petition filed by the four accused individuals, leading to the dismissal of the challenged First Information Report (FIR) registered against them. The FIR encompassed allegations under Sections 376, 377, 313, 406, and 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The Court’s proceedings primarily revolved around the writ petition submitted by the accused, asserting that the FIR against them was fabricated and false.
Furthermore, the Court was informed that petitioner no.1 (one of the accused) and the first informant (who alleged rape) had entered into a lawful marriage as consenting adults, and they are presently leading a contented life together as husband and wife.
In addition, the Court learned that the first informant, who was the alleged victim, had addressed an application to the Commissioner of Police, Prayagraj, admitting that she had impulsively lodged a false FIR due to some disagreements that arose between her and petitioner no.1.
During the proceedings, the counsel for the alleged victim reiterated the arguments made by the accused persons’ counsel and presented the fact that the victim is currently residing with petitioner no.1, who is one of the accused, as his spouse. Based on this, the counsel sought the quashing of the writ petition.
CASE ANALYSIS AND DECISION
After carefully considering the arguments presented by both parties and examining the application filed by the alleged victim, the Court immediately observed that it was evident that the serious rape allegations made against the petitioners were entirely false. This led the Court to conclude that the false FIR had been filed with the intention of either exerting pressure on the petitioners or seeking revenge.
Emphasizing the gravity of lodging such FIRs with fabricated rape accusations, the Court granted the plea and imposed a penalty of Rs. 10,000/- on the alleged victim, instructing her to deposit the amount within ten days.
“PRIME LEGAL is a full-service law firm that has won a National Award and has more than 20 years of experience in an array of sectors and practice areas. Prime legal fall into a category of best law firm, best lawyer, best family lawyer, best divorce lawyer, best divorce law firm, best criminal lawyer, best criminal law firm, best consumer lawyer, best civil lawyer.”
Written by- Mansi Malpani