On Khan’s plea for a harsher sentence, the Court held that she too had not been forthright. It noted that the records suggested she and Siddiquee had, while he was still her lawyer, discussed ways to entrap the police officer, conduct which went beyond simply seeking legal advice.
The Court also pointed out that Khan herself had voluntarily spoken to the media about her case, and that the police officer she had accused had been discharged by a trial court in 2015, an order she never challenged.
“Having been less than candid about each of these matters, she cannot ask us to enlarge a relief granted to her,” the Court held while dismissing her appeal.
The Court then deprecated both parties for the prolonged litigation across three forums.
“Each of these parties has come to us complaining of a wrong, and each has been the author of a good part of it. Between them they have occupied the time of the Bar Council of India, a High Court and this Court for eleven years. That time belonged to other litigants waiting for reliefs they genuinely need.” it said.
It directed Khan and Siddiquee to each pay ₹5 lakh in costs to the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee within four weeks.