If you say I love you, it will be expensive; Read this decision of the High Court once before speaking

Chhattisgarh: Chhattisgarh High Court gave an important. The High Court has made it clear that holding a woman’s hand and forcing her to say “I love you” is not an expression of love but a crime. The court considered it a violation of a woman’s dignity. The court emphasized that such conduct by a young man with a girl, especially in a rural environment, is highly objectionable. So from now on any girl who stops you on the road and says I love you will have to face punishment.

A single bench of Chhattisgarh High Court Justice Naresh Kumar Chandravanshi heard the plea of ​​the youth, who was convicted by a lower court for the act. The accused was 19 years old at the time of the incident. Considering the gravity of the case, the High Court upheld his conviction under Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code.

A lesson for bullies

This decision of the High Court is important for those who take lightly the harassment of women on the streets. However, due to the youth of the accused and the nature of the offence, which involved no act other than holding hands and talking, the sentence has been commuted from three years to one year’s hard labour.

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High Court relief under POCSO Act

In a 2022 order, the lower court had convicted the accused of sexual assault under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) as well as the POCSO Act. However, the High Court scrutinized the matter and found that the punishment of the accused under the POCSO Act was legally unjustified. Because the minor status of the victim at the time of the incident was not fully established.

Punishment under Section 354 was justified

On this technical ground, the court quashed the conviction under the POCSO Act. However, the Special Court upheld the conviction under Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code, i.e. rape of a woman. The court held that the actions of the accused were intended to hurt the reputation of the victim.

What is the matter?

The incident took place when the victim was returning home from school along with her younger sister and friend. The accused then grabbed her hand, pulled her towards him and said, “I love you.” Frightened by this act, the girl ran to a nearby temple.

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During the hearing, public prosecutor Prabha Sharma supported the lower court’s decision and said it was reasonable. Defense counsel Punit Ruparel argued that simply saying “I love you” does not amount to sexual assault under the POCSO Act and does not prove beyond reasonable doubt that the hand was held with sexual intent.

Directing the accused to complete the sentence

After hearing all the arguments, the High Court clarified that the conduct of the accused was a violation of her dignity. As the accused is currently on bail, the court directed him to surrender to the concerned court and complete the remaining sentence.