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Allahabad High Court reaffirms that a Magistrate cannot take cognizance of an offence under Section 182 CrPC without a formal police report, as mandated by Section 195 CrPC. The ruling underscores procedural compliance, barring direct initiation of proceedings for false complaints unless the police submit a report.
Karnataka High Court ruled that a complaint lodged under the SC/ST Act four hours after the accused’s own complaint is retaliatory and an abuse of legal process, warranting anticipatory bail. The judgment reinforces that false or vindictive complaints under the Act undermine natural justice and may be quashed under Section 14(A)(2) of the SC/ST Act.
Bombay High Court at Goa rules that the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) cannot shield the identity of a known instigator of a false sexual harassment complaint under the POSH Act. The court directed the ICC to amend its findings to explicitly name the principal who coerced the complainant, ensuring transparency and accountability in workplace harassment proceedings.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court ruled that prosecutions under Section 195 CrPC for false complaints against public servants must be initiated by a superior authority, not the aggrieved public servant themselves. This decision underscores strict procedural compliance, barring lower-ranking officials from filing such complaints directly. The ruling has significant implications for public servants facing frivolous allegations and reinforces the jurisdictional bar under Section 195 CrPC.