A legal story unfolds as the Supreme Court drops robbery charges in a case involving missing school files.
In this case, Prashant Prakash Ratnaparki and others were involved in an appeal against the State of Maharashtra. The incident began with a police report filed by Rajendra Pura Rathod, a senior clerk at P. G. Public School in Nandurbar. He reported that a group of unknown individuals entered the school, demanding access to specific files.
Rajendra Pura Rathod's complaint detailed how these individuals forcefully entered the school, demanding Engineering and B.A.M.S. files. They allegedly took a checkbook, blank letterheads, stamps, and a significant amount of money, though all items were later returned.
"They took all the computers, blank letter pad book of the organization, checkbook, all the stamps, and cash of Rs.1,50,000/- and kept them in their car," Rathod stated.
The High Court partially dismissed the police report for certain charges but kept the robbery charge under Section 310(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, equivalent to Section 395 of the IPC. The court reasoned that the alleged act happened within the school and involved its property.
The Supreme Court, led by Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, reviewed the case. They noted that the main goal was to get specific files, not to steal property. The court found no evidence of "dishonest intention" necessary for theft or robbery.
"The alleged acts seem to have arisen out of a disagreement over certain documents rather than any intention to commit robbery," the judgment noted.
Justice Sandeep Mehta concluded that the High Court made a mistake in keeping the robbery charge. The Supreme Court dismissed the police report entirely, citing a lack of evidence for wrongful gain and acknowledging the friendly settlement between parties.
This judgment highlights the importance of intent in criminal charges and reinforces the need for solid evidence when alleging serious offenses like robbery.
