The court declined to quash the FIR and directed that the investigation be conducted by a senior officer in accordance with the comprehensive guidelines established in Deepa Ram Meghwal to curb unlawful social boycotts and coercive social practices.

Order

DATE OF CONCLUSION OF ARGUMENTS : 16/03/2026

DATE ON WHICH ORDER IS RESERVED : 16/03/2026

FULL ORDER OR OPERATIVE PART : Full Order

DATE OF PRONOUNCEMENT : 17/04/2026

BY THE COURT:-

1. The instant criminal misc. petition under Section 528 of the BNSS has been preferred on behalf of the petitioners for quashing of FIR No. 161/2025 registered at Police Station Luni, District Jodhpur City West for the offences under Sections 308(2), 308(3), 308(7), 127, 61(2) of BNS.

2. Briefly stating the facts of the case are that the complainant, Rajaram Paliwal married Rajni in December 2022 and was living peacefully with his family, with a child born in September 2023. Subsequently, community panchayat members alleged that his wife belonged to another caste and unlawfully declared social boycott of his entire family. The accused persons allegedly confined his family, abused and threatened them, and forcibly imposed a fine of ₹1 lakh, which was paid under coercion. They further demanded an additional ₹21 lakhs and warned of continued ostracism and harm if unpaid. The acts complained of include criminal intimidation, wrongful confinement, extortion, and harassment, causing severe mental and social distress to the complainant and his family.

3. I have heard the counsel appearing on behalf of the parties and perused the material available on record.

4. This Court has already dealt with the issue involved in the present case in Deepa Ram Meghwal & Ors. v. State od Rajasthan & Ors. [S.B. Criminal Writ Petition No. 1344/2025] vide order dated 10.04.2026. For ready reference, the directions issued in the order dated 10.04.2026 are reproduced herein below:-

DIRECTIONS

A. General Compliance with Supreme Court Directions

21. This Court has carefully gone through the directions issued by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Shakti Vahini (supra) and finds itself in complete consonance with the same.

21.1 Accordingly, it is directed that the concerned authorities, including the District Magistrates/Collectors, Superintendents of Police, Station House Officers, as well as the officials of local self-government bodies such as Panchayats and Municipalities, shall strictly adhere to and implement the preventive, remedial and punitive measures as delineated by the Hon’ble Apex Court.

21.2 Any deviation or non-compliance with the aforesaid directions shall be viewed seriously and may invite appropriate proceedings for contempt for disobedience of the orders of the Hon’ble Supreme Court.

B. District-Level Institutional Mechanism and Monitoring

22. In order to effectively curb and cripple down this menace, this Court deems it appropriate to direct that the State shall designate a Nodal Officer at the District level, who shall function in close coordination with the District Collector, Superintendent of Police, local police machinery, and representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions as well as Municipal Bodies, so as to maintain constant vigil over such unlawful activities.

22.1 The said Nodal Officer shall ensure prompt and timely reporting of any such incident to the designated State-level authority, which shall, in turn, monitor compliance and take necessary steps in accordance with law.

22.2 It is further directed that the office of such institutional mechanism/Special Cell shall be made easily accessible to the victims, ensuring that any aggrieved person can approach the authorities without any impediment or delay.

22.3 Upon receipt of any complaint, the concerned authority shall forthwith conduct a preliminary inquiry and prepare a detailed report, which shall be duly communicated to the Superintendent of Police as well as the District Magi