In a significant ruling, the Karnataka High Court has refused to quash criminal proceedings against an astrologer and the husband of a woman in a molestation case that has garnered considerable attention.
The accused, Mohandas alias Shivaramu, a reputed astrologer, and Deepa Darshan H P, the woman’s husband, faced petitions challenging the criminal charges lodged against them. These charges include Section 498A (cruelty by husband or his relatives), Section 354 (assault with intent to outrage a woman’s modesty), Section 354A (sexual harassment), and Section 508 (inducing fear of divine displeasure), collectively read with Section 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The controversy stems from an incident where the astrologer allegedly molested the complainant under the guise of rectifying her ‘kundali’ (horoscope) during a puja ceremony. Her husband is accused of facilitating the astrologer’s actions and intimidating her into silence.
Arguments presented by Deepa Darshan highlighted that a previous complaint lodged against him in 2018 under similar charges should invalidate the 2019 complaint. He further argued the irrelevance of the new complaint given the couple’s separation since 2018 and the ongoing divorce proceedings in Family Court.
However, the complainant’s counsel argued that the accusations in the current case were distinct and more severe than the previous complaint, necessitating a thorough examination in court.
Justice S Vishwajith Shetty, overseeing the proceedings, noted the specific and serious allegations made by the complainant regarding incidents dating back to between May 2014 and February 2015. He emphasized the gravity of the accusations, particularly the collaborative nature of the husband and astrologer’s actions during the alleged period.
