In a recent ruling, the Punjab and Haryana High Court denied pre-arrest bail to a man accused of subjecting five individuals, including minor girls, to public humiliation by parading them with placards stating, "I am a thief, I confess my guilt." Justice Namit Kumar characterized this act as a "Taliban-style punishment," emphasizing that such behavior is unacceptable and constitutes taking the law into one's own hands.
The incident came to light when a video circulated on social media depicting three girls, an elderly woman, and a boy with blackened faces and placards around their necks bearing the incriminating statement. These individuals, employed as factory workers in Ludhiana, were allegedly accused of stealing clothes by the factory owner, who then orchestrated their public shaming.
Subsequently, an FIR was lodged against the accused, including the factory owner, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code. The counsel for the petitioner argued for bail, citing that co-accused individuals had already been granted regular bail and assured cooperation with the investigation. However, the state counsel, supported by the victims' representative, opposed this plea, highlighting the need for custodial interrogation to recover essential evidence, such as the mobile phone and surveillance equipment from the factory.
Justice Kumar underscored the gravity of the act, noting that it not only tarnished the social image of the victims but also posed a serious concern for their future, especially considering that some victims were minors. The court emphasized that such actions could severely damage the victims' reputations and standing within society.
In light of these considerations, the court concluded that granting pre-arrest bail to the petitioner was unwarranted, thereby rejecting the plea. This decision reinforces the judiciary's stance against extrajudicial punishments and the importance of upholding the rule of law.
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