Karnataka HC Directs Graffiti Writer to Face Trial

The court has ordered the man to face charges for allegedly writing derogatory graffiti about a female coworker on a restroom wall.

Facts of the Case

In March 2020, a female employee at a primary health centre in Chitradurga filed a police complaint, alleging that she began receiving calls at odd hours from multiple numbers. Upon investigating, she discovered that her mobile number had been posted on the walls of the men’s restroom at a bus stop, falsely labeled as a “call girl.” The woman accused some of her coworkers of defaming her name. Following an inquiry, the police charged the woman’s colleague with outraging her modesty and provocation.

Later, on March 9, 2022, a local court in Bengaluru stayed the case against the graffiti writer. The accused then petitioned the high court to have the case dismissed, claiming that the FIR was filed without the required magistrate approval, which is required for non-cognizable offenses such as the ones against him.

Court’s Judgement

The High Court, in its order, took a strict stance on the matter and directed the graffiti writer to undergo prosecution and fully participate in a trial to resolve the case. In the order, Justice M. Nagaprasanna emphasized that sexual violence against women is a grave breach of their right to privacy in addition to being degrading. Given the severe and traumatic effects that these situations have on the victim, he underlined the necessity of treating such cases with the utmost severity.

The high court dismissed the plea of the alleged graffiti writer, stating that the petitioner cannot evade accountability for making derogatory comments about a woman in public.

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