JOIN USDashrath Devda, a resident of Ahmedabad, who had floated the Akhil Bharatiya Patni Virodhi Manch for the protection of “harassed husbands”, has been reprimanded by the high court, which even asked him to render a public apology for making baseless accusations against women.
The Bench was hearing a review petition filed by Devda, who has been slapped with Rs 1 lakh for filing a frivolous Public Interest Litigation (PIL).
The chief justice asked Devda to go to the media and place an advertisement, to express his unconditional apology.
Devda had earlier filed a PIL seeking introduction of a new law for the protection of men and against the “misuse” of section 498 of IPC by wives to threaten their husbands and in-laws.
When the review petition was being heard, a group of women accompanied by Devda, who he claimed were ‘victims’ of the existing law for the protection of women, tried to interrupt the court proceedings. Angered, the chief justice threatened to initiate contempt proceedings if any of the women interrupted the court again. The judges seemed angry after they came to know that Devda had been collecting fund to deposit the fine by organising rallies in different parts of the state.
Devda is known to hold demonstrations against laws that favour woman, which according to him, are used by them against their husbands.
A family court in the city had earlier initiated contempt proceedings against him for the same. Further hearing of the case will be held on March 30.