Anxiety No Excuse To Assault Public Servant Discharging Public Duty: Bombay High Court Grants Anticipatory Bail With Warning

The Bombay High Court has made it clear that citizens, no matter how anxious they are or how serious their grievance is, are not permitted to take the law in their own hands and/or adversely deal with Public officials discharging their lawful duty.

Observing thus, Justice Bharati Dangre warned one Pravin Sahebrao Bhogawade who abused and threatened a public servant.

It was alleged that Pravin indulged into an unruly behaviour and leveled certain serious allegations against the Assistant Engineer of Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited. He was also alleged to have pushed the Asst. engineer and assaulted him by fists and kicks blows. This incident resulted in invocation of Section 353 of IPC along with Section 504 and 506 of IPC.

The Bench was informed that Pravin is habitual in entering in confrontation with the officials and previously also, he had a similar incident when Covid-19 pandemic guidelines were in operation.

Pravin on the other hand submitted that that he is repentful about his behaviour and it was only on account of the anxiety which was caused to him and the villagers, on account of absence of electricity, the incident took place.

The Court was hearing his pre-arrest bail plea.

"It must be kept in mind that a normal citizen whatsoever serious his grievance may be, shall not be permitted to deal with officials in charge of the system of a duly organised governmental structure or follow the course which has been adopted by the Applicant," Justice Dangre cautioned.

Further, noting that the Applicant is repentive of his behaviour, the Judge granted him anticipatory bail subject to payment of Rs.25,000/- cost. The court noted that as the accused seemed very anxious about the welfare of the villagers, the amount is to be utilised for the welfare of the people from the gram panchayat concerned.