Bombay High Court Grants Bail to 22-Year-Old Student in Rape Case
The Bombay High Court recently granted bail to a 22-year-old college student, who was arrested by the Mumbai Police for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman. The court observed that the First Information Report (FIR) was filed on the advice of the victim’s ex-boyfriend.
On August 22, Justice Makarand S Karnik heard the bail plea of the student, who was accused of the assault. The FIR, filed in April 2022, states that the woman had broken up with the applicant’s friend and later started interacting with the applicant. He reportedly tried to reconcile her with her ex-boyfriend and invited her to a lodge, where the alleged assault occurred.
Advocate Pankaj D Purway, representing the student, pointed out that the FIR was lodged two days after the incident. The bench noted that while the delay in filing the FIR alone is not enough to grant bail, other factors must be considered.
The Mumbai Police opposed the bail, arguing that the evidence suggested the accused took advantage of the woman’s breakup and committed a serious crime. However, after reviewing the woman’s statements and their WhatsApp conversations, Justice Karnik observed that a consensual relationship could not be ruled out.
Justice Karnik noted that the student had been in custody for over a year and four months, the investigation was complete, and the chargesheet had been filed. Given the applicant’s age and student status, the bench decided to grant bail.
The student was ordered to furnish a personal bond of Rs. 25,000 and sureties of the same amount.
Be a part our social media community:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndianMan.in?mibextid=ZbWKwL
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/indianman.in?igsh=MWZ2N3N0ZmpwM3l3cw==
