(1.) The State has assailed the judgment dated 27.3.2008 passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Mandi, H.P. in Sessions Trial No.43/2003, whereby the accused/respondent has been acquitted of the offences punishable under Sections 354 and 306 of the Indian Penal Code (in short, 'I.P.C.').
(2.) Whether reporters of the local papers may be allowed to see the judgment. The case of the prosecution, in brief, is that the deceased was daughter of PW2 Mati Devi and the accused who was posted as Booking Clerk in HRTC, Bus Stand, Jogindernagar, used to tease her. On 5.9.2002, PW2 Mati Devi lodged an FIR against the accused and one Hoshiar Singh on the allegations that the deceased had told her that she was taken by the accused to his quarter on the pretext that Megh Singh was waiting for her and on reaching there, the accused attempted to outrage her modesty. She further told that the deceased resisted and raised hue and cry; and came out from the quarter of the accused. But, even thereafter during the day time, both the accused and Hoshiar Singh started harassing the deceased constraining her (deceased) to make a written complaint against the accused to his higher officer at HRTC Bus Stand, Jogindernagar. It was on account of such continuous harassment that the deceased was driven to commit suicide on 4.9.2002.
(3.) The case was investigated and during investigation, it was revealed that the accused had attempted to outrage modesty of the deceased in his quarter and thereafter, the accused started harassing her, which ultimately drove her to commit suicide by jumping into 'Rana Khad' Final report came to be prepared and presented in the Court.