Himachal Police Close Gangrape Case Against Badoli and Mittal, Cite Lack of Evidence

The fundamental principle of justice demands equality for all, ensuring that the law does not differentiate between the rich and the poor or between common citizens and influential politicians. However, time and again, cases emerge that raise serious questions about the fairness of the judicial and law enforcement systems. When justice is delayed or denied, the very foundation of a just society is shaken.

In a significant development, the Himachal Pradesh Police have filed a cancellation report in a high-profile alleged gangrape case involving Badoli and Mittal. Superintendent of Police, Solan, Gaurav Singh confirmed that the report was recently submitted in court after an extensive investigation concluded that there was no substantial evidence to support the allegations. Statements from 18 individuals, including the complainant and the accused, were recorded during the probe. Officials noted several inconsistencies in the complainant’s statements, and no CCTV footage was found to corroborate her claims.

The case, which made headlines in December last year, was filed against Badoli and Mittal based on a complaint by a woman who accused them of sexually assaulting her at a hotel in Kasauli. However, the latest findings by the Himachal Police suggest that there was no merit to the accusations, leading to the submission of the cancellation report in court.

On the other hand, a fresh case has now emerged in connection with the controversy. In a counter-complaint filed by Mittal, the police in Panchkula have booked six individuals on charges that include extortion, criminal intimidation, and criminal conspiracy. Mittal, a former chairman of the special publicity cell of the Haryana government, claimed that the woman had contacted him in September last year. He further alleged that she, along with her associates, attempted to entrap him and Badoli in a honey trap scheme.

According to Mittal’s complaint, the woman and her associates made multiple phone calls, pressuring him to pay Rs 50 lakh in exchange for settling the gangrape case. He also stated that they tried to coerce him into arranging a meeting with Badoli, but he refused to comply. The situation reportedly escalated when the same group confronted him at his under-construction house, leveling financial fraud allegations against him.

Mittal revealed that he had already filed an online complaint with the police after receiving threats from the accused. He claimed that after failing to blackmail him, they retaliated by lodging a fabricated gangrape case against him and Badoli in Himachal Pradesh last year.

The original FIR filed in Himachal Pradesh alleged that the complainant was staying at a hotel in Kasauli on July 3, 2023, along with her employer and friend, when she met Badoli and Mittal. According to her allegations, Badoli introduced himself as a political leader, while Mittal presented himself as a singer. The FIR further stated that the two men had promised to help her secure a government job and an opportunity to feature in a music video. The complainant had claimed that she and her friend later went into a room with them, where she was forced to consume alcohol. When she resisted, the accused allegedly raped her.

Following her complaint, the Himachal Pradesh Police had booked Badoli and Mittal under IPC sections 376D (gangrape) and 506 (criminal intimidation). However, the subsequent investigation revealed contradictions in the complainant’s statements and a lack of concrete evidence, ultimately leading to the case being dropped.

The unfolding of events has once again put the spotlight on the complexities surrounding high-profile criminal cases. While justice must be served to the aggrieved, false accusations and misuses of legal provisions also threaten the credibility of the justice system. The latest developments indicate a shift in the narrative, with the accused now taking legal action against the complainant and her associates for alleged blackmail and extortion.

As the case continues to evolve, questions remain about the impact such legal battles have on genuine victims seeking justice and the role of law enforcement in ensuring fairness in such sensitive matters. The case is likely to take further legal turns as Mittal’s fresh complaint in Panchkula is investigated.

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