SUMAN K SHRIVASTAVA
Ranchi, March 31: After a prolonged legal battle of 14 years, Ritu Kumar, President of the Jharkhand High Court Advocates’ Association, has finally secured justice in a case involving assault and outraging of modesty within the High Court premises.
A Ranchi court on March 30 convicted advocate Mahesh Tiwari under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 354 (outraging modesty), Section 323 (causing hurt), Section 341 (wrongful restraint), Section 504 (intentional insult), and Section 506 (criminal intimidation).
Incident Inside High Court Premises
The incident dates back to May 1, 2012, when Kumar, then a practising advocate, was coming out of Court No. 5 of the Jharkhand High Court. According to the prosecution, Tiwari approached her, made objectionable remarks referring to his Bar Council election victory, and physically assaulted her.
The court found that he placed his hand on her shoulder, attempted to hug her, and used abusive language. When she resisted, he slapped and pushed her to the ground and kicked her. The incident occurred in the presence of other advocates, who intervened to stop the assault.
Court Relies on Consistent Testimony
Judicial Magistrate Sarthak Sharma, in a detailed judgment, held that the testimony of the victim was credible and supported by eyewitnesses. The court observed that the prosecution had successfully proved the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
Rejecting the defence’s argument of false implication due to professional rivalry and prior disputes, the court noted that such enmity could also provide a motive for committing the offence. It also ruled that minor inconsistencies in statements did not weaken the core of the case.
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Background and Recent Controversy
The case unfolded against the backdrop of strained relations between the two lawyers, including Bar Council elections and disciplinary proceedings.
Notably, Tiwari has also been in the news recently for allegedly threatening a judge of the Jharkhand High Court. He was later let off after tendering an apology.
Sentence and Court’s Observations
The court refused to grant probation, noting that the convict, being a practising advocate, was expected to maintain higher professional standards. It observed that the act not only caused humiliation to a woman colleague but also undermined the dignity of the legal profession.
Tiwari was sentenced to:
- 2 years’ simple imprisonment and ₹10,000 fine under Section 354 IPC
- Additional jail terms and fines under other sections
All sentences will run concurrently.
Ritu Kumar’s lawyer hails judgement
Advocate Abhay Mishra, who represented Ritu Kumar, described the verdict as the result of a long and difficult legal battle fought to uphold his client’s dignity. He said the court not only confirmed Kumar’s innocence in related proceedings but also held the accused accountable for publicly humiliating and assaulting a woman advocate within the High Court premises.
Mishra said that while he was satisfied to have secured justice, the moment brought no personal sense of celebration, given his long-standing and contentious history with the convict, which included multiple litigations over the years. He emphasised that pursuing the case was a matter of duty and principle, adding that the 14-year delay forced the victim to endure the trauma repeatedly. He also underscored the need for stronger legal and institutional responses in cases involving crimes against women.
Closure After 14 Years
With the conviction, the court concluded that the prosecution had established the case beyond a reasonable doubt. For Ritu Kumar, the verdict marks the end of a long legal struggle and a significant moment of accountability within the legal community.