BENGALURU: The Karnataka High Court has refused bail to a 23-year-old engineering student accused of rape, sparking a debate over judicial rhetoric and criminal justice in a constitutional democracy. During the hearing, Justice R Nataraj remarked that 'law has lost its teeth' and suggested that harsher punishments could deter crime.
Judge's Controversial Remarks
'Law has lost its teeth because we don't deal with offenders firmly. If you chop off a leg or a hand, then people will, perhaps, realise to comply with law. Because we have a democracy, everybody takes advantage of it,' Justice Nataraj said. He also noted that crimes were being committed casually due to a lack of firm action against offenders, contrasting the situation with punishments in some West Asian countries.
Case Background
The accused has been in judicial custody since early April and faces allegations of sexually assaulting a former classmate in 2023. The defence argued that the student had spent nearly two months in jail for an offence he allegedly did not commit, and that the allegations related to events nearly three years old.
In response, the judge stated: 'If you eat salt, you got to drink water. Let him stay for another four-five days. Let him get used to prison. Who knows if you are punished, you may have to go back (to jail).' The High Court issued a notice to the state government and posted the matter for hearing on June 8.
Police Allegations
According to police, the accused had asked the woman to accompany him to an apartment on the pretext of discussing their friendship and sexually assaulted her on September 12, 2023. The woman first approached the National Commission for Women before filing a police complaint.
The case has reignited discussions on the effectiveness of the criminal justice system and the role of judicial comments in shaping public perception. While some argue that the judge's remarks reflect frustration with lenient punishments, others express concern over the appropriateness of suggesting extreme measures like amputation in a democratic society.
