Punjab & Haryana High Court denies relief to man who paraded suspects with "I am thief" placards

The Punjab & Haryana High Court recently refused to grant anticipatory bail to a factory owner accused of publicly shaming his workers over alleged theft by parading them with "I am a thief" placards around their neck..Justice Namit Kumar said that the act was akin to “Taliban-style" punishment and taking the law into one’s own hands and publicly humiliating individuals cannot be tolerated in a civilized society.The Court underscored the gravity of the offence, stating that the act of the accused was inhuman and could have a lasting impact on the victims, causing irreparable damage to their social image and future prospects.“The act of the accused persons, including the petitioner, was not an acceptable human act by any stretch of imagination; rather, it was an act of ‘Taliban-style punishment’ by taking the law in their own hands...such an act may affect and tarnish the social image of the victims, out of whom some are girls and even minor, and this act may also spoil their future by lowering their reputation and image before the society at large, which is a serious concern," the Court said while dismissing the plea for anticipatory bail..The case pertained to an incident in Ludhiana, where the accused along with his co-accused, allegedly blackened the faces of three girls, an elderly woman and a boy, hung placards around their necks stating “I am a thief, I confess my guilt”, and paraded them through the streets.A video of the incident was later circulated on social media, leading to widespread condemnation.A first information report (FIR) was lodged for offences under Sections 127 (wrongful confinement), 356 (defamation), 74 (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 75 (sexual harassment) and 61(2) (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).The accused then moved the High Court apprehending arrest..The Court noted that the trial court granted bail to the co-accused solely on the account of pending investigation and 'benefit of doubt'. It is still unknown from whose mobile the viral video of the incident was circulated, the single-judge said.For this reason, the High Court opined that custodial interrogation of the accused was necessary for recovering crucial evidence including his mobile phone and the factory’s surveillance footage.The Court also took into account the possibility that the accused may influence or intimidate the witnesses and destroy the evidence if released on bail. .Further, one of the victims was a minor and an application had been made to add offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the Court said..In view of the above, the Court dismissed the anticipatory bail plea but allowed the accused to surrender before the trial court within 10 days and apply for regular bail.The Court asked the trial court to consider the bail application expeditiously if the same is filed. It also clarified that no observations in the order should be construed as an opinion on the merits of the case..The accused was represented by advocates PS Ahluwalia, Jasraj Singh and Jaiveer Singh. The State of Punjab was represented by Additional Advocate General Yuvraj Singh Tiwana while the victims were represented by advocate Vishavjeet Singh. .[Read Order]