In an unprecedented legal decision from Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, a court, led by Judge Gyanendra Tripathi, has issued a severe punishment in a case of a fabricated rape claim. The accused woman has been sentenced to the exact duration—four years, six months, and eight days—that the innocent man, Ajay, spent behind bars. The court also imposed a financial penalty of ₹588,822.47 on her, equating to what Ajay would have earned during his time in custody.
The controversy began when the woman’s mother lodged a police report on September 2, 2019, at Baradari station, accusing Ajay of abducting her daughter and committing rape. Both the accuser and Ajay worked together in a decorative craft business in the Nekpur Subhashnagar area of Bareilly. Despite the serious charges, significant inconsistencies emerged during the trial, which was expedited under Fast Track Judge Nirdosh Kumar.
On February 8, 2024, pivotal revelations came to light when the accuser contradicted her earlier testimonies during cross-examination. She declared herself illiterate, contradicting her initial statement, which was signed in English, and claimed her accusations were made under police pressure. The court, addressing the discrepancies and the gravity of her backtracking, charged her with perjury.
