Threatening Or Socially Boycotting Witnesses Strikes At Rule Of Law: Rajasthan High Court Orders IO To Act On Complaints

The Rajasthan High Court has observed that unlawful societal practices such as coercion, intimidation and social ostracism strike at the very foundation of the rule of law, and that threatening or socially boycotting witnesses during an investigation amounts to a serious interference with the administration of criminal justice. [2026 LiveLaw (Raj) 310]A Single Judge Bench of Justice Farjand Ali directed the Investigating Officer (IO) to objectively and expeditiously examine any complaints by witnesses alleging intimidation, coercion or social boycott, and to take preventive, protective and penal measures in accordance with law.“…any endeavour to obstruct the course of investigation, terrorise witnesses or perpetuate unlawful social sanctions shall be viewed with the seriousness it deserves and the competent authorities shall remain under an obligation to deal with such conduct in accordance with the mandate of law as well as the spirit underlying the directions issued by this Court in Deepa Ram Meghwal (supra) and by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Shakti Vahini (supra).”For context, it was the case of the petitioner that he had filed a complaint regarding social ostracization of his family by the Paliwal Community after he married a woman from different cast. It was contended that he and his family was confined, humiliated, threatened, socially boycotted, and were made to pay Rs. 1 lakh as penalty with further demand of Rs. 21 Lakhs. They were restrained from maintaining social relationships and apprehended danger to their lives. Hence, the FIR was filed seeking criminal action against the accused persons. It was submitted that even though no grievance was harboured against the IO of the case, the accused persons were continuously threatening and intimidating independent witnesses to interfere with the course of justice. They were subjected to grave threats, coercion and sustained social ostracism by the accused person. Hence, the present petition was filed seeking appropriate observations to prevent accused persons from continuing the obstruction and derailing of the ongoing investigation.After hearing the contentions, the Court observed, “directions issued in Deepa Ram Meghwal (supra) were intended not merely to ensure a fair investigation in individual cases but also to dismantle the unlawful societal practices of coercion, intimidation and social ostracism which strike at the very foundation of the rule of law… any attempt by any person to threaten, influence, coerce or socially boycott witnesses during the course of investigation would constitute a serious interference with the administration of criminal justice and cannot be countenanced by a Court of law.”In this light, the Court held that if any such representations were filed by the witnesses before the IO, it had to be examined objectively and expeditiously. Further, preventive, protective and penal measures shall be taken, as prescribed under law. Accordingly, the petition was disposed of. Title: Rajaram Paliwal v State of Rajasthan & Ors. Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Raj) 310Click Here To Read/Download Order

Threatening Or Socially Boycotting Witnesses Strikes At Rule Of Law: Rajasthan High Court Orders IO To Act On Complaints

Nupur Agrawal

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Nupur Agrawal

Threatening Or Socially Boycotting Witnesses Strikes At Rule Of Law: Rajasthan High Court Orders IO To Act On Complaints

Nupur Agrawal

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Nupur Agrawal

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