The Allahabad High Court, while rejecting the bail plea of an accused in a serious case of spreading obscenity through social media, has expressed b displeasure over the rising cybercrimes on digital platforms. The court clearly stated that digital technology has now become a new and dangerous face of crime, where obscene photos and videos going viral not only violate someone's privacy but can also ruin the victim's life.
Justice Ajay Bhanot, while rejecting the bail plea of Ramdev, accused of circulating objectionable photos of a woman via WhatsApp, said that the police need to adopt a very strict approach in such cases. He said that every tool of law should be used to deal with such crimes, so that a clear and b message goes out in society that such acts will not be tolerated.
Forensic Investigation Pending
During the hearing of the case, the court was informed that some objectionable photos of the woman had been recovered from Ramdev, the forensic investigation of which is still pending. The court, considering these facts as serious, commented that the accused's possible involvement cannot be ruled out in these circumstances, therefore he cannot be granted bail.
Not only this, the court has directed the District Judge to monitor the trial and take progress reports of the case every week, so as to ensure that there is no delay in delivering justice to the victim. The court emphasized that the justice process in such cases should be fast and effective.
Order to FSL to Submit Report in Two Months
The High Court, giving strict instructions to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), said that it should complete the investigation of all technical evidence within two months and present the report in the trial court. The court clarified that delay in investigation in such sensitive cases hinders justice and further increases the mental distress of the victim.
The court also added that without a time-bound investigation, it may be difficult to convict the accused, so all concerned agencies should ensure quick and effective action.
Questions Raised on Police's Working Style
This is not the first time that Justice Ajay Bhanot has taken a b stance on the misuse of social media. In 2023 as well, he had described the obscene content spreading on the internet as insulting and destructive to society. At that time too, he had questioned the investigation system of the UP Police, saying that there is a great lack of seriousness and technical efficiency in the investigation of cybercrimes.
He expected the police to have technical skills as well as human sensitivity in such sensitive cases, so that the victim could retain the hope of getting justice.
What is the Case
A case has been registered against Ramdev at the Utrav police station in Prayagraj under sections 74, 352, 351(2), 64(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and section 67A of the IT Act. The accused was arrested on January 9, 2025 and has been in judicial custody since then. Earlier too, on April 23, the trial court had rejected his bail plea.
This comment of the High Court on the rapidly increasing crimes on digital platforms is not only a warning for law and order, but also a message for society that the misuse of internet freedom will not be tolerated anymore. The strictness and sensitivity with which the court has handled this case can prove to be an example for such cases in the future.
