Karnataka HC fines SI Rs 1 lakh for misleading court in lawyer assault case
- Karnataka HC dismissed the SI's petition challenging her suspension
- Court imposed a Rs 1 lakh fine for filing a false affidavit
- The SI allegedly hit a woman lawyer at a police station earlier this year
Court dismisses petition, imposes heavy cost
The Karnataka High Court has dismissed a petition filed by a woman sub-inspector (SI) who was suspended after allegedly assaulting a woman lawyer at a police station. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh on the officer for filing a false affidavit and misleading the judiciary.
Justice M. Nagaprasanna, presiding over the case, was critical of the SI's conduct. The court found that the officer had not only misbehaved with the lawyer but had also attempted to mislead the court through a false affidavit.
Incident details and suspension
The incident reportedly took place earlier this year at a police station in Karnataka. The woman lawyer had gone to the station for some official work when the SI allegedly hit her. The lawyer subsequently filed a complaint, leading to the SI's suspension from duty.
The SI challenged her suspension in the High Court, arguing that the action was unwarranted. However, during the proceedings, the court discovered discrepancies in her affidavit, which appeared to conceal the true facts of the case.
False affidavit leads to penalty
Justice Nagaprasanna observed that the SI had filed an affidavit that was 'bereft of truth.' The court noted that the officer had attempted to project herself as a victim while suppressing the actual sequence of events at the police station.
As a consequence, the court dismissed the petition and directed the SI to pay Rs 1 lakh as costs. The amount is to be deposited with the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority within four weeks.
Message to law enforcement
The High Court's decision sends a strong signal to law enforcement officials about the importance of maintaining discipline and honesty. The bench remarked that officers who are expected to uphold the law cannot be allowed to misbehave with citizens, especially legal professionals, and then mislead the court.
The court's order also underscores the judiciary's intolerance towards frivolous litigation and false affidavits. Legal experts say the fine is a deterrent against such conduct.
The SI's counsel sought time to comply with the order. The court has listed the matter for compliance after four weeks.