SC won’t interfere in B’wood director’s acquittal by Delhi High Court

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to interfere with a 2017 Delhi High Court judgment acquitting Bollywood director Mahmood Farooqui of rape charges.

The bench comprising Justices SA Bobde and Nageswara Rao observed that the judgment by the single bench of the high court was “very well reasoned and cannot be interfered with”.

The apex court came to their decision after a brief half-hour hearing, in which the bench posed a few questions to Vrinda Grover, the advocate representing the appellant. “How many times did they have drinks together?” the bench asked, to which Grover replied that having drinks with a man does not translate to consent. The bench was then quick to point out, “We are not judging that.”

Objecting to the HC order, Grover said the main issue was the absence of consent on the victim’s part. However, the bench observed that the two individuals were in a relationship. The bench then also sought to know the background of the Peepli Live director and the victim. “Why did she send an ‘I Love You’ message to the accused after the incident? Which rape victim will send that to an accused?” the bench asked.