Overview

• Justice Pranay Verma directed state authorities to ensure no person or group burns an effigy of the accused or any individual in place of Ravana on Vijayadashami on October 2.
• The court said such public humiliation would be wholly impermissible in a democracy and would violate the fundamental rights of the petitioner, her daughter, and their family.
• The petition was filed by Sonam Raghuwanshi’s mother seeking to restrain Indore-based organisation Paurush from staging the event and from similar acts of public shaming.
• Paurush had publicised an 11-headed 'Surpanakha dahan' effigy that included images of Raghuwanshi and other women accused in cases, prompting official complaints and community objections.
• After the State’s counsel assured due inquiry and action as per law, the High Court issued directions and disposed of the petition, while the underlying murder case proceeds under Meghalaya Police.