The Bombay High Court has directed the Director General of Police (DGP), Maharashtra, to examine a representation submitted by a Navi Mumbai-based man. The man has alleged that a police officer, in collaboration with certain women lawyers, has been involved in orchestrating false rape cases against innocent men.

The court observed that such cases not only destroy the reputation of the accused but also undermine genuine victims seeking justice.

"You (State) need to consider the fact that in such cases, often the man loses his reputation. And then because of such false cases, even the genuine cases get affected," remarked Justice Revati Mohite-Dere.

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The case was heard by a division bench comprising Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Dr. Neela Gokhale.

The petition was filed by a senior management official from a motor vehicle company, who has been in custody for over 30 months due to a rape allegation. The complainant, a woman advocate, is reportedly a serial litigant who has previously filed similar cases against multiple professionals.

In his letter to Milind Bharambe, the Commissioner of Police, Navi Mumbai, the petitioner claimed that an organized group of women lawyers was systematically misusing stringent laws related to rape and modesty.

"This is nothing short of a potboiler, where educated and intelligent girls have teamed up to devise an ingenious modus operandi to earn huge quick bucks by misusing the draconian sections of rape, outraging modesty, and other laws," the letter stated.

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The letter further alleged that these women target well-established men, initially forming relationships before demanding money under the guise of love. If the men refuse, they allegedly threaten to file rape charges.

The petitioner’s counsel informed the court that an Assistant Police Inspector (API) was actively involved in supporting false cases. This officer, in collaboration with two women lawyers, had been responsible for multiple rape cases in Navi Mumbai and Thane.

The court was told that most of these cases were either withdrawn or resulted in the accused being acquitted. However, by the time the legal process concluded, the accused men had spent years in prison, suffering irreversible damage to their lives and careers.

"My life, future, and career are ruined owing to the stigma of being a rape accused and an ex-prisoner. There is no way that my three years of incarceration can be reimbursed for my sufferings," the petitioner stated.

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After considering the arguments, the High Court directed the Maharashtra DGP to review the complaint and decide whether action should be taken against the women lawyers and the police officer involved.

"If you want to take action against that lady because she filed multiple fake cases, take action against her... If you think your officer is in cahoots with her, take action against him too," Justice Mohite-Dere asserted.

The court granted the DGP eight weeks to appoint an officer for the investigation and submit a report.

Appearance:

Advocate Rahul Bhatnase was appointed to represent the Man.

Additional Public Prosecutor Kumar Saste represented the State.