FALSE SEXUAL HARASSMENT CASES HAMPERS THE CAUSE OF WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

The Delhi High Court recently expressed its anguish towards the false sexual harassment cases and at the way cases of sexual harassment are reported "at the drop of a hat," stating that this hampers the cause of women empowerment. 

Justice Subramonium Prasad was hearing a petition filed by a Delhi University professor seeking to quash a first information report (FIR) lodged by his neighbor for sexual harassment and criminal intimidation of the Indian Penal Code.

The petitioner argued that he and his family were out of the city. Their neighbor demolished a water tank that had been built for his flat on the rooftop. The neighbors even constructed a room and a toilet and broke the pipe that was used to supply water to the petitioner's flat. The petitioner made several complaints to the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and the Delhi Police regarding the illegal construction. However, no action was taken against the neighbors because the neighbor's daughter-in-law was a Constable with the Police.

The Court was told that in February 2021, the Police called the neighbors to the station in pursuance of the written complaint filed by the petitioner. However, they refused to settle the situation. The neighbors then lodged an FIR against the petitioner and his wife. They alleged that the Police asked them to pay ₹5 lakh as a bribe to settle the matter.

The Bench observed that the content of the FIR was sketchy, and it lacked specifics regarding the alleged offenses. The Court further added that a comprehensive reading of the matter revealed that the FIR was solely registered to arm-twist the petitioner and his wife into withdrawing the complaints that had been filed against the neighbors.

The Court, therefore, quashed the FIR.

Author: Papiha Ghoshal