The Delhi High Court has imposed a cost to the tune of Rs 5 Lakh on a petitioner who allegedly demanded money to withdraw a case filed by him against his neighbor.

“…the present petition is disposed of with a cost of Rs.5,00,000/- to be deposited by the petitioner with Delhi State Legal Services Authority within a period of four weeks from today. Let the aforesaid amount be utilized towards counseling/psychological support to be provided to POCSO victims requiring such assistance.”, Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri ordered.

In this case, the petitioner had approached the High Court seeking action against alleged unauthorised colony being developed by his neighbour on subject agricultural land without any sanction.

Advocate O.P. Saxena appeared for the petitioner whereas Advocate Virender Mehta appeared for the respondent.

However, during hearing, the respondent drew the attention of the Court to the messages from the transcript of the conversation between the petitioner and another alleging that the petitioner had demanded Rs 50 Lakhs for withdrawing the case.

Thereafter the Court directed an investigation to be conducted with regard to the above conversations in accordance with law.

After conducting the enquiry, an FIR came to be registered against the petitioner under Section 384 of the Indian Penal Code.

On the last day of hearing, the Court noted that “…on 19.12.2022, this Court, noticing the alleged conduct of the petitioner which has resulted in registration of an FIR against him for demanding money in lieu of the present case, initiated suo moto contempt proceedings in which notice has been issued by the Division Bench.”

Accordingly, the Court disposed of the petition with a cost of Rs.5,00,000 to be paid by the petitioner.

Cause Title- Pradeep Aggarwal v. Govt. of NCT of Delhi

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Delhi High CourtJustice Manoj Kumar OhriExtortion

Ashish Shaji