New Delhi, January 6: The Delhi High Court has quashed criminal proceedings against two security guards accused of restraining and outraging the modesty of a woman while preventing her entry into a private office. Justice Neena Bansal Krishna ruled that the case was an abuse of legal process stemming from a family dispute.

The incident, dating back to September 18, 2015, involved the complainant, a widow of a senior executive, who claimed she was manhandled by the newly hired security guards when attempting to enter the office premises. The court found that the guards, employed only a day prior, were performing their duties and had a responsibility to prevent unauthorized access.

The Court ruled that the complainant had no legal right to enter the office, and thus the guards' actions did not constitute wrongful restraint. Furthermore, there was no evidence of any sexual intent behind their actions to outrage the complainant’s modesty.

The High Court also noted that the dispute was rooted in a family conflict over assets, and the guards were seemingly targeted due to the complainant's inability to involve the police against her in-laws. The court quashed the charges, declaring the case an abuse of legal process and discharging the guards from all charges.