National
SC’s ‘no’ to guidelines on enforcing penal provision in dowry cases (Lead)
New Delhi, Nov 29 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Wednesday said it can’t frame guidelines on how to investigate cases of dowry harassment as this will amount to going beyond the statutory provision of the Indian Penal Code’s Section 498A dealing with the crime.
The stand by a bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A.M. Khanwilkar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, indicating it will revisit the judgement by a two-judge bench which had directed formation of committees to scrutinize complaints of dowry harassment before police act on them.
In its judgment delivered on July 28 this year, the bench of Justice A.K. Goel and Justice Uday Umesh Lalit had laid the guidelines to be followed in dealing with the complaints of dowry harassment.
As two amicus curiae, senior counsel V. Shekhar and Indu Malhotra, sought the stay of judgement under which the guidelines were framed, the court said it “may accept or overrule it”.
Shekhar and Malhotra were appointed as amicus curiae on the last date of hearing on October 13.
The guidelines dealt with how police should proceed in cases of dowry harassment under Section 498A, but the court now said they were not required for its implementation.
The top court had on October 13 had decided to revisit the directions issued by its two judge bench holding police would not arrest husband or his family members till the allegation of dowry harassment were verified by a committee.
Expressing its disagreement with the directions issued on July 28, the bench of Chief Justice Misra, Justice Khanwilkar and Justice Chandrachud then said that the court “can’t write law” but “only interpret law”.
” … we are obligated to state that we are not in agreement with the decision rendered in Rajesh Sharma (supra) because we are disposed to think that it really curtails the rights of the women who are harassed under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code.
“That apart, prima facie, we perceive that the guidelines may be in the legislative sphere”, the court had said.
Issuing eight directions in their July 28 judgment to prevent the harassment of husband and his family members in alleged dowry harassment cases, the bench of Justice Goel and Justice Lalit said that they were conscious of the object for which the provision to curb dowry harassment was brought, but at the same time, “violation of human rights of innocent cannot be brushed aside”.
It had said that “certain safeguards against uncalled for arrest or insensitive investigation have been addressed by this Court. Still, the problem continues to a great extent”.
“To remedy the situation, we are of the view that involvement of civil society in the aid of administration of justice can be one of the steps, apart from the investigating officers and the concerned trial courts being sensitized,” it said, also adding that it was also necessary to facilitate closure of proceedings where a genuine settlement has been reached instead of parties being required to move the High Court only for that purpose.
–IANS
pk/vd
Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
Cheers and Cheers: Barzilla’s Joyful Ode to Inclusivity and Celebration
Casino Days Reveal Internal Data on Most Popular Smartphones
Meghalaya Reserves Legalized Gambling and Sports Betting for Tourists
IPL 20202 UPDATE: KXIP vs MI IPL Dream11 Team Prediction for Today Match, Update Point Table of all Team.
In a Live debate AAP leader Syed Asad Abbas hurls abuses to BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma.
‘India’s Most Wanted’ trailer out Arjun Kapoor on hunt of Osama-Bin-Laden
Time to move on: Sonakshi on Shatrughan’s joining Congress
