In a recent decision by the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court, the charges against Pravin Solanke related to encouraging suicide and inappropriate behavior were dropped, but the charge of bullying remains. Let's break it down.
The case comes from Buldhana, Maharashtra. Pravin Solanke, a 31-year-old who was unemployed, was accused in connection with the suicide of a college student named Bhagyashree. The incident happened on March 12, 2017, when Bhagyashree was found hanging in her room. A note she left behind suggested that she was being harassed by Solanke and others.
Defense's Stand: Solanke's lawyer, Shri R.N. Ghuge, argued that Solanke was not specifically responsible for causing the suicide. The defense referred to past cases to argue that the charges of encouraging suicide were not relevant.
Prosecution's Stand: The Additional Public Prosecutor, Shri N.H. Joshi, argued that the evidence, including a suicide note and a video, showed Solanke's involvement in bullying, which is punishable under the Maharashtra Prohibition of Ragging Act, 1999.
Charges of Encouraging Suicide and Inappropriate Behavior: The court, led by Justices Urmila Joshi-Phalke and Nandesh S. Deshpande, found no strong evidence connecting Solanke to the charges of encouraging suicide and inappropriate behavior. Referring to previous cases, the court stressed the need for a direct link between the accused's actions and the suicide.
Bullying Charge: The court maintained the charge under Section 4 of the Maharashtra Prohibition of Ragging Act. The evidence, including the suicide note and video, suggested that Solanke was involved in bullying, which is defined as any disruptive behavior causing emotional harm or embarrassment to a student.
The court's decision shows the complexity of legal cases involving multiple charges. While Solanke was cleared of the more serious charges, the trial for bullying will continue, showing the court's commitment to addressing bullying in schools and colleges.
