New Delhi: Following directions in a rare Supreme Court order, an IPS officer and her parents have issued a public apology to her ex-husband and his parents for harassment caused by cases filed by her including dowry, domestic violence and rape.
The Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice A.G. Masih dissolved their marriage and also endorsed the 2022 Allahabad High Court guidelines to prevent the misuse of Section 498A.
Settling a marital discord case, the top court Tuesday asked IPS officer Shivangi Goel and her parents to tender “an unconditional apology to the husband and his family members”. Upon the court’s directions, the apology was published in the national edition of one renowned English and one Hindi newspaper. The apology was also published and circulated on all social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, etc.
The top court observed that due to Goel’s cases, Sahib Bansal was lodged in prison for 109 days while his father for 103 days and that his entire family was subjected to “mental trauma and harassment”.
The SC said that the apology by Goel and her family was to “bring about amicable closure to the protracted legal battle and associated emotional and mental stress”. The court also said, “to end the protracted legal battle between the parties and to secure complete justice”, all ongoing criminal and civil cases filed by either party against the other including those against family members are quashed.
However, the top court also noted: “The expression of apology herein shall not be construed as an admission of liability and shall have no bearing on the legal rights, obligations, or consequences arising under law.”
“It is without prejudice to/for either party. It shall not ever be used against Shivangi Bansal/Shivangi Goel before any Court of Law, Administrative / Regulatory / Quasi-Judicial Body / Tribunal against her interests now or in future. Any breach of the said condition shall be considered as contempt of this Hon’ble Court on the part of Sahib Bansal, parents and his family members,” the court said.
Moreover any cases that the top court isn’t aware of shall also be deemed as withdrawn and also stated that both parties “shall not file or initiate any future litigation, petition, case, complaint or otherwise arising out of these or related matters, in any judicial or quasi-judicial or regulatory or administrative forum or any other forum”.
The order further mentions the two have agreed and undertaken for the “larger peace” of their families not to interfere and meddle in each other’s lives, professions, etc.
The top court also directed that the Bansal family be given police protection and that Goel shall never use her position and power as an IPS officer against the Bansals.
Also read: ‘Cooling period’ & scrutiny by district panel. SC upholds 2022 safeguards against misuse of 498A IPC
What is the case?
In December 2015, IPS Shivangi Goel got married to Sahib Bansal and they had a daughter the following December. However due to marital discord between the couple and their families, the duo started living separately in October 2018. Since then, multiple cases were filed by both sides, court documents reveal.
Goel filed cases of criminal intimidation, cruelty by husband and relatives, rape, attempt to murder, domestic violence, among others. Additionally, petitions were filed seeking maintenance for their daughter, and a criminal complaint for criminal breach of trust.
Sahib Bansal, on the other hand, filed a number of cases against Goel and her family of criminal intimidation, voluntarily causing hurt, kidnapping or abduction and defamation. In 2023, a year after Goel was allotted the IPS, Bansal also filed another petition in the Delhi High Court challenging her selection.
Information gathered by ThePrint suggests that the parties had tried mediation earlier too but failed. Goel, a single mother, had several personal issues, while Bansal lost his grandfather in the midst of the legal battle.
Who is Shivangi Goel?
Goel passed the UPSC Civil Services Exam in 2021. Her all India rank was 177 and she was allocated the IPS in the Assam-Meghalaya cadre. The 35-year-old officer is currently posted as the Assistant Commandant at the 5th MLP Battalion in Meghalaya’s Samanda. She has also served as the Assistant SP of East Khasi Hills.
A native of Pilkhuwa, Hapur, Goel spoke about her marital struggles and domestic violence while she was preparing for the UPSC. In a media report, she is quoted as saying, “I want to give a message to those married women in society that if anything wrong happens to them at their in-laws’ house, they should not be afraid. Show them that you can stand on your own feet. Women can do anything they want. If you study well and work hard, you can become an IAS officer.”
(Edited by Viny Mishra)