Delhi High Court Orders Accused To Do Community Service At Gurudwara, Says Offence Of Outraging Woman's Modesty Can't Be Compromised

While quashing a 2014 case against two men for allegedly assaulting and outraging modesty of a woman after settlement between them, the Delhi High Court has directed them to do community service of one month in the city's Gurudwara Rakab Ganj Sahib.

Justice Subramonium Prasad also imposed Rs. 25,000 costs each on the accused persons so that they do not repeat the offence in future. The costs has to be deposited with Armed Forces Battle Casualties Welfare Fund.

“The Petitioners have to atone for their sins and must realize that they cannot take the Courts for granted and that the offence committed by them for outraging the modesty of a women cannot be compromised and the Petitioners will be let off,” the court said.

It further directed the accused persons to plaint 20 trees each in their locality and nurture them.

The court disposed of a plea moved by the accused persons seeking quashing of the FIR registered by the woman's husband in 2014. It was alleged that the two men had beaten the husband and used filthy language against the wife. they sought quashing of the case on the ground that they entered into an amicable settlement.

The FIR was registered for the offences under Sections 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 506 (criminal intimidation, 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult modesty of a woman) and 34 (common intention) of Indian Penal Code, 1860.

Reading the FIR, the court said that the accused persons assaulted the woman and used filthy and vulgar words against her and thus, they cannot be let off only because the matter has been decided to be settled.

The court ordered the two men to do community service at the gurudwara from August 01 to August 31.

“The Petitioners shall perform such duties assigned to them at Gurudwara Rakab Ganj Sahib from 09:00AM everyday for a period of one month and shall obtain a certificate from the Gurudwara Rakab Ganj Sahib after the completion of one month which shall also be filed to show compliance of the order of this Court,” the court said while disposing of the plea.

Title: SAURAV PORWAL & ANR. V. THE STATE & ANR.

Citation: 2024 LiveLaw (Del) 843

Click here to read order