The Delhi High Court has ordered that an FIR be registered against BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain on a woman’s rape complaint in 2018.
Hussain moved the Supreme Court after the Delhi HC order. The SC will hear the case next week, but it has not restrained the police from filing the FIR.
The Delhi HC noted that there was a complete reluctance on the part of the police even to register an FIR. Justice Asha Menon said there was no perversity in the 2018 trial order directing the registration of the FIR and vacated the interim orders of the court staying its operation.
“There is no merit in the present petition. The petition is dismissed. The interim orders stand vacated. The FIR be registered forthwith. The investigations be completed and a detailed report under Section 173 CrPC be submitted before the learned MM (metropolitan magistrate) within three months,” said the court in its order on Wednesday.
A Delhi-based woman had moved the lower court seeking registration of an FIR against Hussain on her allegation of rape.
In its order, the HC said while reference is made in the police status report to the recording of the statement of the prosecutrix on four occasions, there was no explanation as to why the FIR was not lodged.
“The FIR only puts the machinery into operation. It is a foundation for investigation of the offence complained of. It is only after investigations that the police can come to the conclusion whether or not an offence had been committed and if so by whom. In the present case, there seems to be a complete reluctance on the part of the police even to register an FIR,” said the court.
A magisterial court had on July 7, 2018, ordered the registration of an FIR against Hussain, saying a cognizable offence was made out in the complaint of the woman. This was challenged by the BJP leader before a sessions court which dismissed his plea.
On July 13, 2018, the HC passed an interim order staying the trial court order which directed the Delhi Police to register the FIR. It had then issued notice on the politician’s plea and sought the response of the woman and the police.
Hussain’s counsel mentioned the matter in the Supreme Court, seeking an urgent hearing before a bench headed by Chief Justice NV Ramana. The counsel submitted that his client has a nearly three-decade-long career in politics and registration of the FIR will destroy his reputation. The top court agreed to list the matter next week.