BIMLA DEVI Vs. STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Upon arrest as a member of an unlawful cohort of orthodox villagers, who in furtherance of common object, smeared soot on the face of an old lady, garlanded her with shoes, broke her house-hold articles along with idols of worship, on the superstition that she indulged in witchcraft, and also smeared soot on her middle-aged daughter, who came to her rescue, the accused has come up before this Court, seeking regular bail.

(2.) The gist of the facts, apposite to adjudicate the present bail petition, traces its origin to the complaint dated Nov 9, 2019, scribed by Shri Ajay Kumar, a practicing Advocate. He informed the SHO of Police Station Sarkaghat, Distt. Mandi, H.P., that his mother-in-law is an old lady, and has two daughters. On Oct 17, 2019, the villagers misbehaved with her. Again, on Oct 29, 2019, villagers gathered and arrived at her house, broke open the doors, and threw away all the articles, including idols of worship. He stated that even on that date, he had made a complaint. He further mentioned that on Nov 6, 2019, the ladies and boys of the village administered beatings to his mother-in-law and sister-in-law. They also smeared their faces with soot and garlanded his mother-in-law with a string of shoes. They also made videography of all these acts and posted it on social media. After that, he named the accused persons and sought their prosecution.

(3.) Based on this information, Police Station Sarkaghat, Distt. Mandi, registered in its file, FIR No. 184 of 2019, dated 9.11.2019, for the commission of offences punishable under Sections 147, 149, 454, 455, 435, 355, 427, 504, 506, 508, 323, 500, 380, 201,120B of IPC. The Police swiftly arrested the accused. As per the statement of Shri Nand Lal Thakur, Additional Advocate General for the State of Himachal Pradesh, the investigation is going on under the active supervision of the police officials of the highest ranks.