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News18
a day ago
- News18
‘Spoiled Rich Kids': Chhattisgarh HC Pulls Up State Govt, Police Over Highway Blockage For Reels
Taking suo motu cognisance of the event, the court directed the chief secretary of the state government to file his personal affidavit in the matter The Chhattisgarh High Court has come down heavily on the state police for what it termed a 'disappointing" and lenient response to an incident where a group of affluent youths turned a national highway into a stunt set for social media content. Taking suo motu cognisance of the event, a division bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Bibhu Datta Guru directed the chief secretary of the state government to file his personal affidavit in the matter. The issue relates to a viral video that surfaced on social media, showing six high-end Toyota Fortuner SUVs parked across the Ratanpur National Highway, their occupants filming stunt reels with bright lights and professional videographers. The incident, which was widely reported in the Hindi daily Haribhoomi on July 20, caused a traffic jam and inconvenience to commuters. One of the reels was reportedly posted by Vedant Sharma, son of influential figure Vinay Sharma. Despite the clear disruption and road safety hazards, police reportedly imposed only a Rs 2,000 fine per vehicle, without registering any case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Motor Vehicles Act, or the National Highways Act. The court found this response insufficient, particularly in light of the social status of the offenders. 'Time and again, mischief on public roads is committed not just by the uneducated but also by those from well-to-do and educated backgrounds. The indifference of the police, especially when the accused are privileged, sends a dangerous message," the bench remarked, calling out the authorities' failure to take 'stern action". The court also recalled a similar recent episode involving the wife of a deputy superintendent of police, which it had taken seriously and flagged for top-level review. In this latest case, the judges noted that the police neither seized the vehicles nor acted under appropriate penal laws, despite clear grounds to do so. Commenting on the apparent reluctance to act against 'spoiled rich kids," the court warned that such helplessness on the part of the police could foster lawlessness. The case will now be heard next on August 7. view comments First Published: July 23, 2025, 20:32 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Time of India
HC upholds conviction of 9 gang-rape accused in atrocities case
Raipur: The Chhattisgarh High Court upheld the conviction and sentences of nine accused in a gang rape case from Balodabazar-Bhatapara district. A division bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Bibhu Datta Guru dismissed four criminal appeals filed by the accused, affirming the decision of the Special Judge (Atrocities) Balodabazar. The court observed, "Where a victim is raped by one or more persons forming a group or acting in furtherance of a common intention, each member of such group shall be deemed to have committed the offence of rape, in accordance with the principles of joint liability and common intention as defined under the applicable laws." The court confirmed that both victims were below 18 years of age at the time of the incident and belonged to the Scheduled Caste community, as stated in their depositions. The court observed that the victims concealed the incident for two months due to death threats, which deeply impacted them. The case, registered as Special Case (Atrocities), involves the gang rape of two minor victims in May 2020. The high court noted that the appeals, filed under Section 374(2) of the CrPC, were heard together and disposed of by a common judgment. According to the prosecution, the incident took place on the night of 30 May 2020. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cách giao dịch ETH/USD mà không cần nắm giữ Ether IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo The victims received a call from one of the accused, who, along with another accused, forced them onto a motorcycle and took them to a house in a village. They were later taken to a cremation ground. While returning, their motorcycle was intercepted near the gate by six other accused, along with two juvenile delinquents. The accused forcibly pulled the victims off the motorcycle and gang-raped them. One of the accused recorded a video of the act on his mobile. The accused threatened the victims with death and viral dissemination of the video if they reported the incident. Due to fear, the girls initially didn't speak out. Later, an accused obtained the video and began harassing the victims and their father, demanding sexual favours and threatening to circulate the video. On 28 July 2020, this accused issued an ultimatum to the victims, prompting them to finally disclose the incident to their parents. The judgment cited established legal principles regarding the testimony of sexual assault victims, emphasising that their evidence is entitled to great weight and does not always require corroboration, particularly in a society where victims are often reluctant to report such crimes. Three of the appellants, who were on bail, had their bail bonds cancelled and sureties discharged. They were directed to surrender to the trial court immediately to serve their sentences.
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Time of India
No end to trend? HC raps govt over b'day on cop's car
Raipur: The Chhattisgarh High Court directed the chief secretary of the state to file a personal affidavit explaining why incidents of public nuisance and road obstruction—particularly birthday celebrations on public roads—continue despite previous court orders. The directive came during the hearing of a suo motu cognizance of a case included in a PIL, which was registered after a recent incident involving the wife of a deputy superintendent of police (DSP) celebrating her birthday on the bonnet of a private vehicle fitted with a blue beacon. The matter pertains to a news report published in The Times of India, Times City, Raipur edition, dated June 19, 2025, titled "Cop's wife celebrates b'day on official car: FIR mentions 'unnamed driver'," as mentioned in the court order. The court expressed serious concern over the filing of an FIR against an 'unknown driver' when the individuals involved, including the DSP's wife and her friends, were clearly identifiable in the video. It also sought clarification on the authority under which a blue beacon was mounted on a private vehicle and what action was taken against those responsible. "Despite the efforts made by the chief secretary and the director general of police, Chhattisgarh, yet another incident of this nature came to light. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is it legal? How to get Internet without paying a subscription? Techno Mag Learn More Undo The initial response of the authorities, including the manner in which the FIR was registered against an 'unknown' person, is unacceptable," stated a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Bibhu Datta Guru. The bench observed that when the woman in the car is clearly visible, the police should have made efforts to identify all those present in the viral video. The incident, which drew widespread attention after the video went viral on June 19, 2025, shows the DSP's wife cutting a cake on the bonnet of an XUV 700, while other women are seen dangerously hanging out of the doors and sunroof. The car, reportedly the personal vehicle of a DSP posted in Balrampur-Ramanujganj district, was equipped with a blue beacon. The incident allegedly took place near a hotel in Ambikapur. Following the video's circulation, the Saragwan police launched an investigation and registered an FIR against the driver under Sections 177, 184, and 281 of the Motor Vehicles Act for traffic violations.
News18
07-07-2025
- News18
Priest Not Landowner, Can't Claim Temple Property: Chhattisgarh High Court
Last Updated: The bench of Justice Bibhu Datta Guru underscored that a pujari is merely a grantee with the limited duty of offering prayers and managing temple rituals. The Chhattisgarh High Court recently observed that a pujari (priest) is not the owner of temple land and cannot claim proprietary rights over it. Court dismissed a writ petition filed by the Shri Vindhyavasini Maa Bilaimata Pujari Parishad Committee challenging the authority of the Vindhyavasini Mandir Trust Samiti to manage the affairs of the temple and its land. The bench of Justice Bibhu Datta Guru, while hearing the matter, underscored that a pujari is merely a grantee with the limited duty of offering prayers and managing temple rituals. 'The law is clear on the distinction that the Pujari is not a Kashtkar Mourushi…He cannot be thus treated as a Bhumiswami," the court said, clarifying the legal distinction between religious service and property ownership. In 2003, an order was issued by the Tahsildar of Dhamtari, who had directed that the petitioner's name be entered into the land records of the temple trust. That order was overturned by the Sub-Divisional Officer (Revenue), and the petitioner's subsequent appeals to the Additional Commissioner and the Board of Revenue were also rejected. The petitioner then approached the high court under Article 227 of the Constitution, seeking to quash the Board of Revenue's 2015 order. However, the court observed that the petitioner body was not even a party to the original proceedings before the Board and hence lacked legal standing to maintain the writ. More critically, the court referred to a 1989 judgment by the Civil Judge, Class-II, Dhamtari, which had conclusively declared the Vindhyavasini Mandir Trust Samiti as a duly registered body since 1974, entrusted with managing the temple's affairs. That judgment had attained finality and was never challenged before a higher court. The single judge bench emphasised that temple properties are not ancestral or personal properties of pujaris, and any attempt by a priest to claim ownership is an act of mismanagement. 'If the Pujari claims proprietary rights over the property of the temple, it is an act of mismanagement, and he is not fit to remain in possession or to continue as a Pujari," the court noted. Court concluded that merely possessing a lease or patta does not entitle the petitioner to assert ownership or control over temple assets. The lease granted in 1985 was already subject to the civil court's decision from 1989. Finding no merit in the petitioner's arguments, the high court dismissed the writ petition, noting that the challenge was sans substratum.
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Time of India
FIR against ‘unknown' unacceptable when offenders are visible: Chhattisgarh HC raps state govt over viral b'day bash on DSP's car; seeks Chief Secretary affidavit
The Chhattisgarh High Court nullified a rape charge against a man. The court observed the relationship was consensual. It stated a souring consensual relationship isn't grounds for criminal proceedings. RAIPUR: The Chhattisgarh High Court has directed the Chief Secretary of the state to file a personal affidavit explaining why incidents of public nuisance and road obstruction—particularly birthday celebrations on public roads—continue despite previous court orders. The directive came during the hearing of a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL), which was registered after a recent incident involving the wife of a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) celebrating her birthday on the bonnet of a private vehicle fitted with a blue beacon. The matter pertains to a news report published in The Times of India, Times City, Raipur edition, dated June 19, 2025, titled 'Cop's wife celebrates b'day on official car: FIR mentions 'unnamed driver'. ' "Despite the efforts made by the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Chhattisgarh, yet another incident of this nature has come to light. The initial response of the authorities, including the manner in which the FIR was registered against an 'unknown' person, is unacceptable," stated a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Bibhu Datta Guru. The Bench observed that when the woman in the car is clearly visible, the police should have made efforts to identify all those present in the viral video. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo The court expressed serious concern over the filing of an FIR against an "unknown driver" when the individuals involved, including the DSP's wife and her friends, were clearly identifiable in the video. It also sought clarification on the authority under which a blue beacon was mounted on a private vehicle and what action had been taken against those responsible. The incident, which drew widespread attention after the video went viral on June 19, 2025, shows the DSP's wife cutting a cake on the bonnet of an XUV 700, while other women are seen dangerously hanging out of the doors and sunroof. The car, reportedly the personal vehicle of a DSP posted in Balrampur-Ramanujganj district, was equipped with a blue beacon. The incident allegedly took place near a hotel in Ambikapur. Following the video's circulation, the Saragwan police launched an investigation and registered an FIR against the driver under Sections 177, 184, and 281 of the Motor Vehicles Act for traffic violations. This PIL was initially registered on January 29, 2025, following a similar incident in which a road was blocked for a birthday celebration. At that time, the court had directed the Chief Secretary to file a personal affidavit detailing the action taken and preventive measures implemented. On February 3, 2025, the Chief Secretary submitted an affidavit stating that all Station House Officers (SHOs) in the state had been instructed to prosecute offenders not only under the Motor Vehicles Act but also under the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The SHO of DD Nagar Police Station, where the earlier incident had taken place, was also censured. Despite these steps, the court noted on February 20, 2025, that such incidents continued to be reported frequently. Consequently, the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police were directed to submit personal affidavits addressing the presence of any special laws, measures undertaken to curb such activities, public awareness campaigns, traffic management guidelines, action taken against negligent officials, and any further suggestions. On March 10, 2025, the Director General of Police stated in his affidavit that although no special law exists, current legal provisions are sufficient to penalize offenders. A circular issued on February 28, 2025, provided instructions on preventing damage to public property, stopping illegal gatherings on roads, and ensuring the free flow of traffic. Nevertheless, the court noted that a similar incident had occurred on March 2, 2025, despite the circular being in effect. In response, the Chief Secretary's affidavit dated March 24, 2025, confirmed the issuance of another circular on March 20, directed to various authorities including the Director General of Police and the Transport Commissioner. The circular advised the implementation of public awareness programmes, coordination with police, road safety initiatives, and regular assessment meetings. It also called for proceedings to suspend or cancel the driving licenses of those involved.
