State Nct Of Delhi vs J Ravi - 2025 Supreme(Online)(Del) 27209

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2025 Supreme(Online)(Del) 27209

IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
Amit Mahajan, J
State Nct Of Delhi – Appellant
Versus
J Ravi – Respondent
CRL.REV.P. 323/2025 | CRL.M.A. 24459/2025

Important Points

When evidence, such as communication records, contradicts alleged criminal acts and indicates a consensual relationship, the court may discharge the accused at the preliminary stage if the materials fail to establish a grave suspicion of guilt, particularly when the prosecution provides no valid explanation for significant procedural delays.

Subject

Criminal Law - Procedural Law and Sexual Offences

Act Referred

Indian Penal Code, 1860: S.354, S.376, S.377, S.506, S.509
Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973: S.164, S.227, S.228

Headnote

(A) Indian Penal Code, 1860 - Sections 354, 376, 377, 506 and 509 - Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 - Sections 164, 227 and 228 - Criminal revision against discharge of accused - Sexual assault allegations - Scope of framing charge - Court must sift and weigh material to determine existence of grave suspicion - Where two views are possible and evidence suggests suspicion only rather than grave suspicion, judge is empowered to discharge accused - Court cannot act as a mouthpiece of prosecution but must consider broad probabilities and inherent infirmities in case - Delay in registration of first information report, when coupled with electronic records of communication showing romantic relationship, makes allegations improbable and justifies discharge. (Paras 15, 17, 21, 26)

(B) Limitation - Condonation of delay - State seeking condonation for delay exceeding 300 days - Government departments must perform duties with diligence - Administrative movement of files is not accepted as sufficient cause for delay - No special allowance granted for state machinery in matters of limitation. (Paras 9-13)

Facts of the case:
A criminal revision petition was filed by the state against a trial court order discharging the accused for alleged offences of sexual assault and molestation. The trial court had discharged the accused after noting that retrieved electronic messages between the parties reflected a romantic relationship, suggesting the complaint was filed after the relationship soured. The state argued that the trial court failed to consider the victim’s consistent testimony and the fear caused by the accused's influential position.

Findings of Court:
The court observed that the revision petition was filed with a significant, unexplained delay of over 300 days. On merits, the court affirmed that the extensive communication records belied the accusations and that the totality of evidence failed to raise a grave suspicion of the alleged criminal acts.

Issues: The main issues were whether the trial court correctly exercised its power to discharge the accused based on the available material, and whether the state provided sufficient grounds for condoning the substantial delay in filing the revision.

Ratio Decidendi: The court ruled that judges are required to apply their judicial mind to all evidence to determine if a grave suspicion of guilt exists. Where documentary evidence strongly indicates a consensual relationship and renders the allegations improbable, the court is duty-bound to discharge the accused to avoid the ordeal of unnecessary trial. Furthermore, administrative delays within government departments do not constitute sufficient cause for condoning large delays in legal filings.

Result: The petition and the application for condonation of delay were dismissed.

Advocates:
For the Appellants/Petitioners: Yudhvir Singh Chauhan
For the Respondents: None

Table of Content
1. factual background leading to the discharge order for the alleged offences. (Para 1 , 2 , 3)
2. state claims error in the trial court's assessment of prima facie evidence for charges. (Para 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8)
3. strict interpretation of limitation period requiring explanation for every day of delay. (Para 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13)
4. standard for framing charge requires discovery of grave suspicion, not merely suspicion. (Para 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19)
5. documentary evidence outweighs inconsistent oral testimonials in discharge determinations. (Para 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27)
6. dismissal of revision petition and application for condonation of delay. (Para 28)

JUDGMENT

1. The present petition is filed against the order dated 30.05.2024 (hereafter ‘impugned order’), passed by the learned Trial Court in SC No. 274/2022 arising out of FIR No. 94/2017 (‘FIR’), registered at Police Station Inder Puri.

2. By the impugned order, the learned Trial Court discharged the respondent for the offences punishable under Sections 354/ 376/ 377/ 506/ 509 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (‘IPC’).

3. The brief facts of the case are as follows:

3.1. On 25.04.2017, FIR was registered at Police Station Inder Puri on a complaint made by the prosecutrix. The prosecutrix was a senior scientist in ICAR, who was posted at Bangalore, and she had come to Delhi for attending a conference. For the said purpose, the prosecutrix was staying in NASC Complex International Guest House from 05.04.2016 to 10.04.2016. Allegedly, on 07.04.2016, the prosecutrix met the respondent accused, who was the secretary at ASRB and supposedly influential in administration and promotions, and he asked her to come to his office. On that day, when the prosecutrix went to meet the respondent, he made her wait initially and thereafter, offered to drop her in his car at the Guest House where she was residing. The respondent allegedly parked the car at the side of the road and started kissing the prosecutrix, pressing her chest and touching her private parts. It is alleged that the respondent forced the prosecutrix to perform oral sex with her mouth before dropping her at a Guest Stand near the Guest House. It is alleged that the respondent texted the prosecutrix after the incident, but she did not reply to him as she was scared. It is alleged that the prosecutrix subsequently reported the matter to her higher authorities after returning to Bangalore, however, she was advised against pursuing the matter due to the respondent’s influence. The respondent allegedly sent emotional/ threatening texts to dissuade the prosecutrix from complaining against him as well.

3.2. With the intention of collecting evidence against the respondent, the prosecutrix informed him about her visit to Delhi on 28.11.2016. The respondent picked the prosecutrix from the Airport in his car and again misbehaved with her by touching her inappropriately and kissing her on the way. It is alleged that when no one called the prosecutrix for an hour, the respondent became suspicious and found the prosecutrix’s mobile which she was using to record the incident. It is alleged that the respondent slapped the prosecutrix and boasted that even if she complained, no one will believe her. It is alleged that the respondent deleted all texts and phone calls from her mobile and forced her to hold his penis in car while he was driving towards Gole market. Allegedly, the respondent also asked the prosecutrix to meet him for establishing physical relations.

3.3. On 30.11.2016, although the prosecutrix initially avoided the call of the respondent, on being scared by the texts sent by the respondent, she told him that she had reached NASC complex and asked him to pick her up. It is alleged that the respondent again molested the prosecutrix in the car and boasted that she could progress professionally by staying with him. One police personnel allegedly caught the respondent when the prosecutrix shouted in pain,