RAM SAHAI VERMA Vs. STATE OF M P

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This pro bono publico petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India has been chosen by the petitioner seeking suitable directions for investigation in the matter of Honour Killing of a lady which took place in the village Lahar of the Police Station Dimni of Morena district M.P., with issuance of further appropriate directions to the State Govt. thereby directing to all the Police Officers of the State to take immediate steps for fair and speedy investigation and fair criminal trial for such sensitive offences.

(2.) The facts, as stated in petition, are that a news was flashed in the Daily local Newspaper Dainik Bhaskar circulated on 20 th October 2011 that in village Lahar of Police Station Dimni of Morena district M.P., one lady who was in love with the person of a different caste was killed brutally. On the day of incident, the villagers gathered near the temple. Her husband came with his wife at the place and in the presence of the persons collected there. They pronounced the sentence for her did. Thereafter in the presence of the gathered persons including her husband and brother-in-law hanged her on the tree and bet her badly by sticks. Thereafter, they poured kerosene on her body and set her ablaze. As she was survived, the miscreants prepared the pyre and put the victim on pyre and put her at fire till her death. This barbaric incident took place before the public of the village. After incident, nobody came forward to inform the police and to set in motion the police authorities for legal actions against the miscreants of the incident. The petitioner in the interest of the public at large particularly for the safety of women residing in the remote villages of the State against the Honour Killing wished that appropriate directions be issued in the given case and for prevention of barbaric incident of Honour Killing of the women of the State in future.

(3.) The respondents, by filing their reply, admitted the truthfulness of the incident. A report of the incident has been lodged. The fair and speedy investigation of the crime by the Investigating Officer under the supervision of the Superior Police Officers is under progress. During investigation, almost all the miscreants except nine accused have been arrested. It is stated that the police administration will not unturned any efforts to arrest the rest nine accused and after completion of the investigation the charge sheet will be filed before the criminal court for trial. It is also assured that an adequate security shall be provided to the eye-witnesses and material witnesses to unveil the truth before the trial court and the police administration is legally bound for fair and speedy trial of the case.