HC issues notice to ex-min Imarti Devi in Jitu Patwari case

Bhopal/Jabalpur: The MP high court on Monday issued notice to former minister Imarti Devi in response to a petition filed by state Congress chief Jitu Patwari challenging a case registered against him at Dabra police station under the provisions of Prevention of Atrocities against SC/ST Act and relevant sections of IPC following an FIR lodged by Imarti Devi accusing Jitu Patwari of making obscene remarks at her.
Jitu Patwari, in his petition, contended that in his statement regarding Imarti Devi, he had not used casteist remarks anywhere and he had tendered apology soon after giving the statement. The FIR was lodged hours after he had tendered an apology. Besides, FIRs were lodged at police stations in several other places, which shows that it was politically motivated.
Appearing for the petitioner, advocate Vibhor Khandelwal contended that no case is made out against his client under Prevention of Atrocities against SC/ST Act, which is a non-bailable offence. In his statement, Patwari didn't use any casteist remark nor did he make any obscene gestures as the FIR suggests. The Prevention of Atrocities against SC/ST Act has been invoked in registering the case without any evidence.
After hearing Khandelwal's arguments, the bench of Justice Sanjay Dwivedi issued a notice to respondent in the petition Imarti Devi, seeking a response. The court also gave liberty to Patwari to file an application for anticipatory bail in the high court.