Mumbai POCSO court grants rape accused temporary bail for NEET-UG re-test
A special POCSO court in Mumbai has granted a four-day temporary bail to an 18-year-old accused in a rape case so that he can appear
A special POCSO court in Mumbai has granted a four-day temporary bail to an 18-year-old accused in a rape case so that he can appear for the NEET-UG re-test on June 21. The court granted the relief from June 18 to June 21 and directed him to surrender before the authorities by 2 pm on June 22. The accused, who is lodged in Taloja Central Prison in Navi Mumbai, was given temporary bail after the rape survivor said she had no objection, subject to an assurance that he would not defame or threaten her family while out on bail.
The court released him on a bond of Rs 50,000 with a surety of a like amount. Read Full Story The 18-year-old has been booked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for rape and under provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. Advocate Kapil Vishwas Zodge, appearing for the accused, argued that the criminal justice system aims to support the rehabilitation of convicted offenders and incarcerated individuals, and said the young man should be allowed to take the medical entrance test. He also told the court that the accused needed time to prepare and that appearing for the exam under police escort would affect his mental state.
Special Public Prosecutor Chaitrali Panshikar opposed the plea, citing the serious nature of the allegations. The prosecution said he should only be allowed to appear for the exam under police escort for one day. After considering the higher secondary exam certificate and the provisional NEET admit card submitted by the defence, Special Judge SR Sharma said there were "perspicuous valid grounds" to grant temporary bail. "So far as apprehensions of the prosecution side are concerned, those can be addressed by putting requisite conditions," the judge said. While granting relief, the court directed the accused not to contact the victim in any manner, tamper with evidence, or make any inducement or threat to anyone connected with the case.
The judge also asked him to submit an undertaking that he would appear for the exam and produce supporting documents of his appearance when he surrenders, as the court allowed the temporary bail to enable him to take the NEET re-test. Ends
The BriefWire