Has the Rajasthan HC Stayed Lower Court Proceedings Against Naresh Meena in the SDM Slapping Case?
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Synopsis
In a significant legal development, the Rajasthan High Court has intervened in the case against Naresh Meena, accused of assaulting SDM Amit Chaudhary during the Deoli-Uniyara by-election. This ruling could potentially alter the course of the ongoing legal proceedings.
Key Takeaways
- The Rajasthan High Court has granted interim relief to Naresh Meena.
- Legal proceedings against Meena have been stayed pending further review.
- The incident in question occurred during the Deoli-Uniyara Assembly by-election.
- Arguments presented in court questioned the severity of the charges.
- Over 60 individuals were arrested, with most receiving bail.
Jaipur, July 7 (NationPress) The Rajasthan High Court has granted temporary relief to Naresh Meena regarding the notorious incident involving the alleged attack on SDM Amit Chaudhary during the Deoli-Uniyara Assembly by-election.
The court issued an interim stay on the proceedings taking place in the Tonk SC-ST Court and requested a response from the state government.
Justice Umashankar Vyas delivered the ruling while addressing a monitoring petition submitted by Naresh Meena. During the hearing, his legal representatives, advocates Fateh Ram Meena and Rajneesh Gupta, contended that the event constituted a mere case of simple assault but was erroneously elevated to an attempted murder charge.
They emphasized that neither the CCTV footage set up by the Election Commission at the polling station nor the video captured by the Tehsildar present at the incident provided any proof of the SDM being strangled, as alleged. Furthermore, they noted that the medical assessment of SDM Amit Chaudhary did not indicate any severe injuries to the neck or body, implying a lack of life-threatening harm.
The defense argued that the event unfolded suddenly and spontaneously, yet the police invoked Section 109(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and categorized it as an attempted murder case.
They claimed that the charge sheet and the court's decision to impose charges under this section were excessive and unjustified. As a result, they requested the annulment of the lower court’s charge-framing order.
Considering the arguments presented, the High Court stayed the lower court’s actions and issued notice to the state government to provide its response.
This incident occurred on November 13, during the voting for the Deoli-Uniyara bypoll. Residents of Samravata village staged a boycott of the vote, demanding their village be included under the Uniara subdivision office. Naresh Meena, running as an independent candidate, aligned himself with the villagers in their protest.
The situation intensified when Naresh Meena allegedly slapped SDM Amit Chaudhary, accusing him of coercing three individuals to vote despite the boycott.
He was apprehended at the protest site the following day, on November 14, and placed in judicial custody on November 15. Over 60 individuals were arrested in connection with the incident; all except Naresh Meena have since been granted bail.
Point of View
It is essential to recognize the balance between legal proceedings and political contexts. The decision to stay the lower court's actions reflects the judiciary's role in ensuring fairness and justice. This case underscores the intricacies of political tensions during elections and the legal frameworks that govern them.
NationPress
22/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the incident involving Naresh Meena?
Naresh Meena was accused of slapping SDM Amit Chaudhary during the Deoli-Uniyara Assembly by-election, leading to charges of attempted murder.
What did the Rajasthan High Court decide?
The Rajasthan High Court granted interim relief to Naresh Meena by staying the lower court proceedings and requested a response from the state government.
What are the implications of the High Court's decision?
The High Court's decision may impact the ongoing legal proceedings and could set a precedent for similar cases in the future.
Were there any injuries reported?
The medical report indicated that SDM Amit Chaudhary did not suffer any severe injuries, suggesting no life-threatening harm was done.
How many individuals were arrested in this incident?
Over 60 individuals were arrested in connection with the incident, with all but Naresh Meena granted bail.
