MP HC Directs Removal Of Lock From Official Residence Of Judge Accused Of Rape [Read Order]

The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Friday summoned the Superintendent of Police, Panna in connection with the alleged sealing of Ajaygarh Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Manoj Soni’s official residence.

CJM Soni was reportedly booked for sexual assault on June 13 after a woman government official accused him of raping her repeatedly at his official residence after promising to marry her. The woman has alleged that the Judge subsequently refused to marry her after he was promised a dowry of Rs. 2 crore by the family of another woman.

The CJM has, however, denied the allegations, claiming that he backed out of the marriage after finding out that the woman had a Lokayukta case registered against her.

During the course of the hearing, he informed the Bench comprising Chief Justice Hemant Gupta and Justice H.P. Singh that his official residence was sealed on June 27 by Mr. Riyaz Iqbal, Superintendent of Police, Panna.

Taking serious note of the incident, the Bench asserted that the petitioner being a Judicial Officer, no action can be taken against him without the permission of the High Court. Putting an additional lock on his residence was, therefore, viewed as depriving the CJM of his “right of residence”.

It therefore directed the Police to remove the lock, ordering, “Therefore, we direct Mr.Riyaz Iqbal, Superintendent of Police, Panna shall remain present in Court on 4th July 2018 to support the action taken.

In the meantime, the police is directed to remove the lock forthwith.”

The case has now been listed on 4 July.

Read the Order Here