Lucknow: The court has convicted Guddi, a woman who filed a false case due to electoral rivalry, and sentenced her to one and a half years in prison. Special SC/ST Act Judge Vivekananda Sharan Tripathi stated in his verdict that such cases not only harm innocent people but also damage the credibility of serious sections like the SC/ST Act.
The court sent a copy of its order to the District Magistrate, Lucknow, and clearly directed that if any relief amount was provided to the convicted woman, it be withdrawn immediately.
Electoral rivalry led to the false case
Government lawyer Arvind Mishra informed the court that Guddi, the accused woman, filed a fake SC/ST Act case on November 15, 2024, at the behest of her brother-in-law. The case was filed against the village head’s husband, Mathura Prasad, Vinod Awasthi, and Anoop Awasthi.
In the complaint, Guddi alleged that she was returning with her brother-in-law, Raju, after buying medicine when they were stopped by opponents, abused, and assaulted. However, an investigation by ACP Amol Murkut revealed that Anoop Awasthi was present in Faizullaganj at the time of the incident, while the other two were at Mathura Prasad’s house. Following the investigation, the case was found to be fabricated, and the police filed a final report.
The Court Expressed Serious Concern
In its verdict, the Court remarked that while the implementation of the three-tier Panchayati Raj system is leading to development in villages, it is also increasing mutual animosity within villages. The Court said, “Village residents are becoming enemies of each other.”
Regarding the SC/ST Act, the Court stated that while the law was intended to protect Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes from atrocities, it is now being misused to frame innocent people, making it difficult for the truly aggrieved to obtain justice.
Disburse relief funds only after a chargesheet is filed: Court
The court, while sending a copy of its order to the District Magistrate and Police Commissioner, directed that relief funds be disbursed only after a chargesheet has been filed. The tendency to disburse relief funds immediately after a report is filed is increasing the number of fraudulent cases. The court said, “It must be ensured that taxpayers’ money is not misused.”