Jhonny at 06:01, 22 August 2025

2025-08-22T06:01:16Z

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{{Short description|2015 false sexual harassment accusation in Delhi}}

The '''Jasleen Kaur harassment controversy''' stemmed from the allegation of [[sexual harassment]] made by Jasleen Kaur against Sarvjeet Singh in 2015 and the events that followed.<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine|title=Complaint doubtful: Delhi court acquits Sarvjeet Singh in 2015 sexual harassment case|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/complaint-doubtful-delhi-court-acquits-sarvjeet-singh-in-2015-sexual-harassment-case-1613088-2019-10-26|agency=Asian News International|date=October 26, 2019|magazine=India Today|language=en|access-date=2020-05-09|archive-date=2020-11-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112043310/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/complaint-doubtful-delhi-court-acquits-sarvjeet-singh-in-2015-sexual-harassment-case-1613088-2019-10-26|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2015, Jasleen Kaur, a woman from Delhi posted, a photo of Sarvjeet Singh on [[Facebook]], alleging that Singh had sexually harassed her. The post went viral on social media in India, garnering widespread attention. National celebrities and politicians supported Kaur for raising her voice against [[Eve teasing|eve-teasing]] and sexual harassment on social media.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name="firstpost.com">{{Cite web|title=Jasleen Kaur case: Sonakshi Sinha apologises to man accused of harassing girl|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/jasleen-kaur-case-sonakshi-sinha-apologises-to-man-accused-of-harassing-girl-2412576.html|date=2015-08-28|website=Firstpost|language=en|access-date=2020-05-10|archive-date=2020-09-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925034950/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/jasleen-kaur-case-sonakshi-sinha-apologises-to-man-accused-of-harassing-girl-2412576.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The then [[Chief Minister of Delhi]], [[Arvind Kejriwal]] also tweeted in support of Kaur, calling it ‘an act of bravery’.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Twitterati troll Kejriwal for his 2015 tweet on the Sarvjeet Kaur's case after he was acquitted recently|url=https://www.google.com/s/m.freepressjournal.in/article/india/twitterati-troll-kejriwal-for-his-2015-tweet-on-the-sarvjeet-kaurs-case-after-he-was-acquitted-recently/47bb818e-6f03-47a2-8523-55b7c571e40d|website=The free press Journal}}</ref> Singh was arrested on charges of sexual harassment (of which he would later be acquitted) the next day.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /> The following day, Singh posted bail.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Delhi Biker Arrested for Sexual Harassment Gets Bail|url=https://www.ndtv.com/delhi-news/delhi-biker-arrested-for-sexual-harassment-gets-bail-1210823|website=NDTV.com|access-date=2020-05-11|archive-date=2020-02-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203143100/https://www.ndtv.com/delhi-news/delhi-biker-arrested-for-sexual-harassment-gets-bail-1210823|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite web|title=4 Years After Fighting The Jasleen Kaur Case, Sarvjeet Singh Bedi Has Finally Been Acquitted|url=https://www.indiatimes.com/trending/human-interest/jasleen-kaur-case-sarvjeet-singh-bedi-acquitted-378573.html|date=2019-10-25|website=indiatimes.com|language=en|access-date=2020-05-11|archive-date=2020-05-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516085202/https://www.indiatimes.com/trending/human-interest/jasleen-kaur-case-sarvjeet-singh-bedi-acquitted-378573.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Trial by media|Indian media]], including national news channels, labelled Singh as a "National Pervert" and "Delhi ka Darinda" (Delhi's predator).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Man labelled pervert and Delhi ka darinda acquitted in molestation case after 4 years|url=https://theprint.in/india/man-labelled-pervert-delhi-ka-darinda-acquitted-molestation-case-after-4-years/311456/|last=Bhardwaj|first=Ananya|date=2019-10-25|website=ThePrint|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-10|archive-date=2020-08-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811062317/https://theprint.in/india/man-labelled-pervert-delhi-ka-darinda-acquitted-molestation-case-after-4-years/311456/|url-status=live}}</ref> Singh acknowledged that there had been a disagreement between him and Kaur, but denied harassing Kaur.<ref name="LogicalIndian" /> A few days after the incident, an eyewitness vouched for Singh's innocence which brought credibility to Singh's account.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=Delhi woman who accused biker of molestation 3 years ago finally appears in court|url=https://theprint.in/india/governance/delhi-woman-who-accused-biker-of-molestation-3-years-ago-finally-appears-in-court/157948/|last=Bhardwaj|first=Ananya|date=2018-12-03|website=ThePrint|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-10|archive-date=2019-12-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217054007/https://theprint.in/india/governance/delhi-woman-who-accused-biker-of-molestation-3-years-ago-finally-appears-in-court/157948/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2018-11-11|title=Why Delhi woman behind viral post on 'molestation' didn't appear in court for 3 years|work=The Print|url=https://theprint.in/india/governance/why-delhi-woman-behind-viral-post-on-molestation-didnt-appear-in-court-for-3-years/115931/|access-date=2022-05-21|archive-date=2021-06-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613143428/https://theprint.in/india/governance/why-delhi-woman-behind-viral-post-on-molestation-didnt-appear-in-court-for-3-years/115931/|url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2019, an [[Delhi High Court|Indian court]] acquitted Singh of all the charges and he was pronounced innocent.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /> Kaur responded that she will continue to fight, while Singh filed a petition seeking criminal enquiry against Kaur for false accusations, which was later dismissed by [[Delhi High Court]].<ref name="indianexpress.com">{{Cite web |date=2022-10-04 |title=Delhi HC dismisses plea seeking criminal enquiry against former DU student for giving false evidence |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-hc-dismisses-plea-seeking-criminal-enquiry-against-former-du-student-8189250/ |access-date=2023-01-15 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

The event brought media attention to [[MenToo movement|misuse of laws by women]] in India,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-11-22 |title=Sarvjeet Singh Might Have Been Acquitted But Verdict Shows How False Cases Ruins One's Life |url=https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/sarvjeet-singh-might-have-been-acquitted-but-verdict-shows-how-false-cases-ruins-one-s-life-500960.html |access-date=2022-03-26 |website=IndiaTimes |language=en-IN |archive-date=2021-06-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620141737/https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/sarvjeet-singh-might-have-been-acquitted-but-verdict-shows-how-false-cases-ruins-one-s-life-500960.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="LogicalIndian">{{Cite web |last=Indian |first=The Logical |date=2019-10-25 |title=After 4 Years Of Public Shaming & Struggle, Saravjeet Singh Finally Proven Not Guilty On Jasleen Kaur Case |url=https://thelogicalindian.com/news/saravjeet-singh-jasleen-kaur/ |access-date=2022-03-26 |website=thelogicalindian.com |language=en |archive-date=2022-05-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521113627/https://thelogicalindian.com/news/saravjeet-singh-jasleen-kaur/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Jasleen Kaur case: Sarvjeet acquitted after four years, netizens demand apology from Kejriwal, Arnab for maligning him |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2019/oct/26/jasleen-kaur-case-sarvjeet-acquitted-after-four-years-netizens-demand-apology-from-kejriwal-arnab-2053322.html |access-date=2022-03-26 |website=The New Indian Express |date=27 October 2019 |archive-date=2021-03-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210315072626/https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2019/oct/26/jasleen-kaur-case-sarvjeet-acquitted-after-four-years-netizens-demand-apology-from-kejriwal-arnab-2053322.html |url-status=live }}</ref> including cases of [[False accusation of rape|false rape accusation]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-02-11 |title='Spare innocent men anguish': India ruling aims to end false rape claims |url=http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/feb/11/spare-innocent-men-anguish-india-ruling-aims-to-end-false-claims |access-date=2022-03-26 |website=the Guardian |language=en |archive-date=2022-03-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326010623/https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/feb/11/spare-innocent-men-anguish-india-ruling-aims-to-end-false-claims |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-02-08 |title=Does India have a problem with false rape claims? |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-38796457 |access-date=2022-03-26 |archive-date=2022-03-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326010618/https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-38796457 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-08-17 |title=Alarming rise in false rape cases; need to be dealt strongly: Delhi High Court |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/alarming-rise-in-false-rape-cases-need-to-be-dealt-strongly-delhi-high-court-7457488/ |access-date=2022-03-26 |website=The Indian Express |language=en |archive-date=2022-03-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326010622/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/alarming-rise-in-false-rape-cases-need-to-be-dealt-strongly-delhi-high-court-7457488/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Events ==

=== Background ===
On August 23, 2015, Kaur, a former student of [[Delhi University]] posted a picture of a man and alleged that he passed obscene comments at her during an argument on the street. After the post went viral, Singh was arrested by local police under sections 354A (Sexual harassment), 506 (Punishment for criminal intimidation) and 509 (Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the [[Indian Penal Code]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Delhi biker who abused young woman booked for sexual harassment|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/delhi-biker-who-abused-young-woman-booked-for-sexual-harassment-2405594.html|website=Firstpost|date=24 August 2015 |access-date=2020-05-10|archive-date=2020-09-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200902044130/https://www.firstpost.com/india/delhi-biker-who-abused-young-woman-booked-for-sexual-harassment-2405594.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Facebook post ====
The post made by Kaur on August 23, 2015:<blockquote>''This man (misnomer) made obscene comments on me today at around 8 pm near Aggarwal, [[Tilak Nagar (Delhi)|Tilak Nagar]]. He was on a silver [[Royal Enfield (India)|Royal Enfield]], vehicle number - DL 4S CE 3623. When I told him that im clicking his picture and i'm going to file a complaint against him, he responded by posing for the picture and said- "Jo kar sakti hai kar le. Complaint karke dikha, fir dekhiyo kya karta hun main".''

''But there was something that is disturbing me much more than his obscene remarks- the fact that it was a red traffic signal and 20 other people heard what he was telling me. Yes, no one minded. No one intervened. No one stood up for me. I decided to stand up for myself and lodged a complaint in Tilak Nagar police station with his photo and vehicle number.''

''Share his picture and vehicle number as much as you can to pin this creep. (only if you care).''

''Today he had the audacity to say these things to me, tomorrow he will have the audacity to move one step ahead and do it.''

''PS- I could've written here exactly what he said in his comments, but i don't want FB to remove my post.''<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|title=This Delhi man was called a 'pervert' in viral post 3 years ago — and he's still stuck there|url=https://theprint.in/india/governance/this-delhi-man-was-called-a-pervert-in-viral-post-3-years-ago-and-hes-still-stuck-there/113879/|last=Bhardwaj|first=Ananya|date=2018-09-09|website=ThePrint|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-10|archive-date=2020-02-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215054320/https://theprint.in/india/governance/this-delhi-man-was-called-a-pervert-in-viral-post-3-years-ago-and-hes-still-stuck-there/113879/|url-status=live}}</ref></blockquote>

==== Kaur's account ====
Kaur stated that Singh was trying to jump the red signal. She asked him to follow the traffic rules to which Singh replied with obscene comments.

The court later observed the complainant had made material alterations to her previous statements, concluding that "the testimony of the complainant is not trustworthy and casts serious doubt on the case of the prosecution."<ref name=":0" />

=== Reactions ===
The Facebook post shared by Kaur on August 23, 2015, immediately went viral on social media in India with over 100,000 shares.<ref name=":6" />

Reactions in support of Kaur, lauding her supposed bravery, and expressive of disgust and contempt for Singh came thick and fast, beginning the same day.

The next day, on August 24, the then Delhi Chief Minister [[Arvind Kejriwal]] tweeted lauding her supposed bravery asking all the girls of Delhi to speak up against such unacceptable acts.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal applauds Jasleen Kaur for standing up to her molester|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-delhi-cm-arvind-kejriwal-applauds-jasleen-kaur-for-standing-up-to-her-molester-2117935|last=Team|first=DNA Web|date=2015-08-24|website=DNA India|language=en|access-date=2020-05-10|archive-date=2020-11-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108100120/https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-delhi-cm-arvind-kejriwal-applauds-jasleen-kaur-for-standing-up-to-her-molester-2117935|url-status=live}}</ref> The then Delhi Commission for Woman (DCW) Chief, [[Swati Maliwal]] also expressed support for Kaur.<ref name=":1" />

The Deputy Commissioner of Police (West) said that she will be given 5000 rupees for her supposed bravery.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|last=ANI|date=2015-08-24|title=Girl eve teased in Tilak Nagar to be awarded Rs. 5k for bravery|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/girl-eve-teased-in-tilak-nagar-to-be-awarded-rs-5k-for-bravery-115082400434_1.html|access-date=2020-05-10|archive-date=2020-11-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108111248/http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/girl-eve-teased-in-tilak-nagar-to-be-awarded-rs-5k-for-bravery-115082400434_1.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Actress [[Sonakshi Sinha]] also expressed support for Kaur. However she later tweeted apologizing to Singh for her [[presumption of guilt]].<ref name="firstpost.com"/>

Soon after Kaur's viral post, Singh stated he had lost his job because of the media coverage and that he couldn't find any other stable source of income.<ref name=":7" />

=== Times Now fined ===
The news channel [[Times Now]] was fined a sum of Rs. 50,000 by the News Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA), and was asked to apologize on-air. The fine was levied because, per NBSA, Times Now had interviewed the accused in an “aggressive, intimidating, and browbeating style, and the telecast of the interview with tag-lines treating the accused as guilty".<ref>{{Cite web|title=NBSA asks Times Now to issue apology, pay fine for a story|url=https://www.livemint.com/Consumer/tkP9rrq1dHYIOm8jWkyiPK/NBSA-asks-Times-Now-to-issue-apology-pay-fine-for-a-story.html|last=Bansal|first=Shuchi|date=2016-03-15|website=Livemint|language=en|access-date=2020-05-11|archive-date=2020-09-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914225627/https://www.livemint.com/Consumer/tkP9rrq1dHYIOm8jWkyiPK/NBSA-asks-Times-Now-to-issue-apology-pay-fine-for-a-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Judgment ==
On October 24, 2019, four years after the incident, the court passed the judgment. All the charges were dismissed, and Singh was held innocent.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=Jasleen Kaur case: Sarvjeet acquitted after four years, netizens demand apology from Kejriwal, Arnab for maligning him|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2019/oct/26/jasleen-kaur-case-sarvjeet-acquitted-after-four-years-netizens-demand-apology-from-kejriwal-arnab-2053322.html|website=The New Indian Express|date=27 October 2019 |access-date=2020-05-09|archive-date=2019-12-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191201153502/https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2019/oct/26/jasleen-kaur-case-sarvjeet-acquitted-after-four-years-netizens-demand-apology-from-kejriwal-arnab-2053322.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web|title=Delhi Biker, Accused Of Molestation In 2015 At Signal, Gets Clean Chit|url=https://www.ndtv.com/delhi-news/sarvjeet-singh-bedi-accused-of-molestation-in-2015-by-jasleen-kaur-at-traffic-signal-acquitted-2124784|website=NDTV.com|access-date=2020-05-09|archive-date=2020-09-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903170017/https://www.ndtv.com/delhi-news/sarvjeet-singh-bedi-accused-of-molestation-in-2015-by-jasleen-kaur-at-traffic-signal-acquitted-2124784|url-status=live}}</ref> Jasleen Kaur didn't appear in court for the hearings, despite repeated summons. Jasleen's family claimed that because of the online abuse she received in India, she had to move to Canada to pursue higher education. Jasleen denied receiving any summons; while her lawyer accepted that there were summons, he said that she cannot be forced to appear, adding that her father had been appearing in court.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhardwaj |first=Ananya |date=2018-09-11 |title=Why Delhi woman behind viral post on 'molestation' didn't appear in court for 3 years |url=https://theprint.in/india/governance/why-delhi-woman-behind-viral-post-on-molestation-didnt-appear-in-court-for-3-years/115931/ |access-date=2023-01-15 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Indian |first=The Logical |date=2018-09-12 |title=Moved To Canada Because Of Online Abuse, Says Jasleen's Uncle Over Her Failing To Appear Before Court |url=https://thelogicalindian.com/news/jasleen-kaur-case-delhi/ |access-date=2023-01-15 |website=thelogicalindian.com |language=en}}</ref>

After being acquitted Sarvjeet Singh filed a petition seeking criminal enquiry against Jasleen Kaur and her parents for false accusations and helping her to flee, but Delhi High Court dismissed the petition and held that “loss of reputation is not sufficient” to initiate a criminal enquiry under Section 340 CrPC. However, the court granted Singh the liberty to initiate appropriate legal proceedings for defamation caused by Kaur's FIR.<ref name="indianexpress.com"/>

== See also ==

*[[Rohtak sisters viral video controversy]]
*[[Manav Singh]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Controversies in India]]
[[Category:2015 controversies]]
[[Category:Abuse of the legal system]]
[[Category:False allegations of sex crimes]]

Jasleen Kaur harassment controversy - Revision history

Jhonny at 06:01, 22 August 2025