Delhi High Court Seeks State's Response On Plea By Rajasthan Minister's Son To Quash Rape FIR

Notably, the Rajasthan High Court has recently directed the State to ensure protection to a woman who accused Rohit of rape.

'Bhanwari Devi Repeat': Rajasthan High Court Grants Protection To Woman Who Accused State Minister's Son Of Rape, Murder Threat

The complainant, 23 years old, expressed apprehension of not getting justice in the Congress-led government of Rajasthan where the father of the accused holds significant influence, and had thus registered a case in Delhi with Sadar Bazar Police Station.

The FIR is lodged for offences under Sections 376 (Rape), 328 (Causing hurt by means of poison, etc.), 312 (Causing miscarriage), 366 (Kidnapping, abducting or inducing woman to compel her marriage, etc.), 377 (Unnatural offences), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 509 (Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of Indian Penal Code.

Rohit moved the High Court under Section 482 CrPC, praying for quashing and cancellation of the FIR dated May 9.

A Single bench of Justice Talwant Singh issued notice and fixed the case for July 26. Meanwhile, it has asked the State to file a status report/reply. However, no interim relief has been granted to Rohit.

On petitioner's submission that his right to move an application for anticipatory bail, as and when so advised, may be protected, the court opined that there is no need to pass any order on this request because this right is always open.

Counsels for the Petitioner: Mr. Mohit Mathur, Sr. Advocate with Mr. Pritam Bishwas, Mr. Nishant Kumar, Mr. Kishley Jha and Mr. Harsh Gautam, Advocates.

Counsels for the Respondents: Ms. Meenakshi Chauhan, APP with ACP Pragya Anand and Inspector Parvesh Kaushik, PS Sadar Bazar. Mr. Sanjay Jain, ASG (Special Counsel for State). Mr. Kapil Sankla, Mr. Prashant Singh, Mr. Sanjay Vashishtha and Mr. Akhilesh Aggarwal, Advocates for complainant.

Case Title: MR. ROHIT JOSHI v. THE STATE (NCT OF DELHI) & ANR.

Case No.: CRL.M.C. 2316/2022