LI Network
Published on: December 09, 2023 at 15:15 IST
The Punjab & Haryana High Court has denied anticipatory bail to a female Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police (ASI) who is accused of being part of a honey trapping gang and accepting a bribe to resolve an allegedly false rape case.
Justice Anoop Chitakara, presiding over the case, emphasized the potential risks posed by honey trapping to the nation’s security and social fabric.
Justice Chitkara underscored the severity of the alleged offense, stating, “The Legislature had made extremely stringent laws to protect women from perverts, criminals, and those who do not respect womanhood. However, evil women like the petitioner being female and knowing their frailty, took advantage of the provision of stringent laws enacted to protect them by roping in innocent males in honey trapping.”
The court expressed concerns about the erosion of trust in society due to honey trapping, highlighting the possibility of increased skepticism and suspicion among people.
Justice Chitkara emphasized that such actions could lead to a breakdown in the social fabric and hinder genuine connections and cooperation.
The case involved ASI Munesh Devi from Haryana, accused of being a member of a honey trapping gang and accepting a bribe to settle a false rape case. The petitioner faced charges under various sections, including Sections 384, 388, 389, 120-B IPC, and Sections 7, 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
The court acknowledged the detrimental impact of false accusations on individuals, particularly in the age of social media, where personal connections can be exploited for monetary gains through harassment and extortion.
Justice Chitkara highlighted the broader societal consequences of honey trapping, stating that it can jeopardize national security by putting confidential information at risk.
Emphasizing the misuse of laws meant to protect women, the court called for serious consideration and sensitization against such abuse.
The judgment recognized the grave consequences of false accusations on the psychological, professional, and personal well-being of the accused.
In conclusion, the court rejected the anticipatory bail application, asserting that the nature of the allegations required custodial interrogation to uncover the full extent of the racket and identify other individuals involved.
Case Title: Munesh Devi v. State of Haryana,