Woman Accused Two Men Of Rape To Claim ₹3 Lakh Compensation? Basti Court Acquits Both After 3 Years, Orders Her To Repay
Curated by NEWS DESK
Editorial DeskUTTAR PRADESH: A special court in Basti has acquitted two men, including a Nagar Panchayat chairman, in a rape and criminal conspiracy case after the complainant admitted during cross-examination that she had filed the FIR to obtain financial assistance. The court also ordered the recovery of ₹3 lakh in government compensation paid to her.
The case involved Nagar Panchayat chairman Dhirsen Nishad and Madaram Pathak, who were facing charges of rape and criminal conspiracy.
Police registered an FIR on 27 August 2023 at Rudhauli Police Station in Basti district after a woman filed a complaint.
The woman alleged that Pathak introduced her to Nishad after promising to help her get a job. She accused Nishad of sexually assaulting her on the promise of employment and claimed that the exploitation continued even after she started working.
She further alleged that she faced harassment and threats whenever she opposed his actions.
During the investigation, police examined the woman's mobile phone and recovered recorded conversations. The police sent the recordings for forensic examination to verify whether the voices matched those of the persons concerned.
However, the court observed that even if the voice samples matched, this alone could not prove the offence of rape.
The case took a major turn during the complainant's cross-examination, when she admitted that she had received ₹3 lakh in government compensation and had lodged the FIR to obtain financial assistance.
After examining the complainant's testimony, witness statements, documentary evidence and forensic material, the court found that the prosecution had failed to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt.
Special Judge Ram Karan Yadav, presiding over cases under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, acquitted both men of charges under Sections 376 (rape) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC, along with Section 3(2)(v) of the SC/ST Act.
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The court also directed the District Social Welfare Officer to recover the ₹3 lakh compensation under the applicable rules and deposit the amount in the state treasury. A copy of the judgment was ordered to be forwarded to the concerned authorities for compliance.
EXPLANATORY TABLE OF LAWS AND SECTIONS
| Law / Section | What It Means | Relevance in This Case |
|---|---|---|
| Section 376, IPC | Prescribes punishment for rape. | Both men were acquitted of the rape charge. |
| Section 120B, IPC | Provides punishment for criminal conspiracy. | The prosecution failed to prove the conspiracy charge. |
| Section 3(2)(v), SC/ST Act, 1989 | Provides enhanced punishment for certain serious offences committed against SC/ST persons with the required statutory knowledge. | The court acquitted both accused under this provision. |
CASE DETAILS
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Case Title | State v. Dhirsen Nishad & Madaram Pathak |
| Court | Special Court, Basti, Uttar Pradesh |
| Bench | Special Judge Ram Karan Yadav |
| Complainant | Woman residing within Rudhauli Police Station jurisdiction |
| Accused | Dhirsen Nishad and Madaram Pathak |
| Original FIR | Registered on 27 August 2023, Rudhauli Police Station, Basti |
| Relevant Sections | IPC Sections 376, 120B; SC/ST Act Section 3(2)(v) |
| Presiding Judge | Ram Karan Yadav |
| Result | Both accused acquitted; recovery of ₹3 lakh compensation ordered |
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Rape Case Ends in Acquittal: Two men faced serious criminal charges for over three years before the court acquitted them.
- FIR Filed for Financial Assistance: The complainant admitted during cross-examination that she lodged the FIR to obtain financial assistance.
- ₹3 Lakh Compensation Recovery Ordered: The court directed authorities to recover the government compensation paid to the woman.
- Allegations Cannot Replace Evidence: The prosecution failed to prove rape and criminal conspiracy beyond reasonable doubt.
- Men Deserve Justice, Not Trial by Allegation: The case highlights how serious criminal accusations can expose men to prolonged legal proceedings, even when the charges ultimately remain unproven.
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