Quick Summary: On February 5, 2026, Judge Girish Kathpalia of the Delhi High Court dismissed a police complaint against Prashant Kumar Jha for an incident that happened in 2017. The decision was influenced by the victim's decision not to continue the case due to personal difficulties.
On October 22, 2017, something unexpected happened in Vasant Kunj, Delhi. A woman and her sister were in their car when a man, identified as Prashant Kumar Jha, got into their car without being invited. This happened after he first asked them for directions. The women quickly called for help, and Jha was arrested. The entire incident was caught on CCTV.
Prashant Kumar Jha wanted to cancel the police complaint (No. 623/2017) filed at Vasant Kunj North Police Station. He was charged under a law meant to prevent stalking. The victim, who had already been to court twice, said she couldn't continue because she needed to take care of her children.
Judge Kathpalia understood the victim's situation and saw no point in making her go through more stress. He said:
"Continuing the trial would only make things harder for the victim."
However, he also pointed out how serious the incident was and the fear it must have caused.
The court decided to drop the case, but with a condition. Prashant Kumar Jha had to pay Rs. 20,000 to the victim within a week. If he didn't pay, the trial would continue, but the victim could give her testimony through a video call.
Judge Kathpalia used this case to highlight a bigger issue:
"This case raises serious concerns about the safety of women even during the day."
This decision not only settled a specific legal issue but also served as a reminder of the importance of safety and respect in society.
