Punishments like ‘chopping hands or legs’ may make people follow the law: Karnataka HC

Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court made a striking observation on crime and punishment, saying stricter penalties similar to those imposed in some Middle Eastern countries could act as a stronger deterrent against offenders.

Hearing a rape accused's bail plea, Justice R Nataraj remarked that crimes are increasingly being committed casually because offenders are not dealt with firmly enough under the law. The judge observed that harsh punishments, including the amputation of limbs in certain countries, often create greater fear of violating the law.

“Law has lost its teeth because we don't deal with offenders firmly. That is why committing an offence has become so easy unlike in the middle-east. If you chop leg or hand, perhaps only then people will realise to comply with law,” the judge orally observed, adding that people tend to take the freedoms available in a democratic system for granted.

The remarks came during the hearing of a bail petition filed by 23-year-old Gopi Reddy Karthik Reddy, a student of Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), who has been in judicial custody since April 5 in a rape case.

The High Court declined to grant immediate bail to the accused and instead issued notice to the State. The matter has been posted for further hearing on June 8.

During the proceedings, the Court also made strong remarks about the accused's incarceration, indicating that spending time in prison could make him understand the consequences of the allegations against him.

Counsel for the accused argued that he had already spent nearly two months in custody and claimed that no offence had been committed. The defence further submitted that the allegations relate to an incident that allegedly took place almost three years ago and that prolonged detention could adversely affect the petitioner's professional future.

However, the Court was not persuaded to grant relief at this stage.

What are the allegations against the MIT Manipal student?

According to the prosecution, the complainant and the accused were classmates at Manipal Institute of Technology.

The woman alleged that the accused expressed his love for her in July 2023 and that she initially reciprocated. She later distanced herself after developing doubts about his character.

As per the complaint, the accused allegedly convinced her to visit the apartment where he was staying on September 12, 2023, on the pretext of discussing their relationship. Once there, he allegedly sexually assaulted her against her will.

She later approached the National Commission for Women before filing a formal complaint with the police.

The case was registered at the Udupi Women Police Station under Sections 375(a) and 376 of the Indian Penal Code. The High Court is expected to take up the bail plea again on June 8 after receiving the State's response.