KOCHI: The High Court has said that those facing false sexual allegations lose their status and value in society. "Compensation cannot replace this. The police should think twice before filing a chargesheet. They should come to the right conclusion during the investigation," the court said. Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan's observation was made in the order granting anticipatory bail to the Kannur native accused in the sexual assault case in Badiyadka, Kasaragod.

"Just because the complainant is a woman, it cannot be assumed that everything that is raised is true. There is a tendency to make serious sexual allegations against innocent people. Both the complainant and the accused should be heard. There are laws to take action if the complaint is false. The police often hesitate to take action in cases filed against women due to fear of setbacks. There is no need for such concern. If the findings are true, the officials will be protected," the court said.

The petitioner is the manager of a Margin Free Market. The company had dismissed a female employee for dereliction of duty. The petitioner said that he had filed a complaint with the Badiyadka police on January 14 alleging that the dismissed employee had threatened him, but no investigation was conducted. However, the police registered a case on February 7 and started an investigation after the woman complained that the petitioner had grabbed her hand with sexual intent. The petitioner approached the High Court after this. The petitioner had also produced an audio clip of the woman threatening him. The court directed that action be taken if the woman's complaint is found to be false.

"Action Hero Biju" dialogue in verdict

"Police stations are the refuge of the common people. If common sense is applied, many cases can be resolved at the station," the High Court observed. There was another order of the same bench earlier pointing this out.

The dialogue "This police station is the district court, the High Court and the Supreme Court of the poor'' from the movie "Action Hero Biju'' was included in the verdict then. The court quoted those parts in the new verdict as well. Poonthanam's line "Some people pretend to be scholars without knowing what should be attained from education...'' is also included in the verdict copy, indicating that in some cases, common sense is more important than education. "Once the charge sheet is filed, it will take years to prove innocence in court. Therefore, caution is required during the investigation stage," the High Court emphasized.