PIL in Supreme Court, request to install display boards warning of punishment in police stations and courts

With the aim of curbing false complaints and fabricated allegations in the country. Supreme Court An important Public Interest Litigation (False Complaint Law India) has been filed. The petition sought direction to the Central and all state governments to install display boards in police stations, courts and other public offices, clearly mentioning the punishment for filing false complaints, making false allegations and presenting fake evidence.

This petition has been filed by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay. The petition said that false cases against innocent citizens have become a serious threat to the right to life, personal liberty and human dignity guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Law exists, but questions on effective implementation

The petition argues that Chapter Fourteen of the Indian Judicial Code 2023 contains clear legal provisions to deal with false complaints, malicious prosecution and fake evidence (False Complaint Law India). Despite this, concrete efforts have not been made by the government and administrative machinery to implement them effectively at the ground level.

The petitioner has demanded that along with police stations, such information boards should also be installed in tehsils, district courts, panchayat buildings and educational institutions. Apart from this, before filing the FIR, the complainant should be compulsorily informed about the legal consequences of the false complaint and an affidavit or written undertaking should be taken from him that the information given is completely true.

Big difference in cases and punishment figures

Citing National Crime Records Bureau data, the petition said there is a huge gap between the number of cases registered and the conviction rate. A large number of cases end in acquittals or dismissals, indicating that the criminal justice system is burdened with false cases and fabricated evidence.

The petition states that false complaints and malicious prosecution sometimes turn the entire criminal process (False Complaint Law India) into punishment. It affects a person’s freedom, social prestige and mental health, which becomes almost impossible to compensate.

Law Commission’s warning and impact on fundamental rights

The petition also referred to the 277th report of the Law Commission, which had described the existing measures as “uncertain and ineffective”. According to the report, false cases not only waste precious time of courts but also affect fundamental rights like freedom of speech, doing business and carrying on profession.