Now 18, rape survivor wants to marry accused; HC grants him bail

Key points

• SHIMLA: The Himachal Pradesh high court has granted regular bail to a man accused of raping a minor after the girl, who has since turned 18, testified that they intended to marry and raise their 2-month-old child together.The high court ruled that the continued incarceration of the unnamed defendant would severely prejudice the welfare of the young mother and her newborn.
• The judge said while a minor's consent is legally immaterial under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act, the evidence indicated a consensual relationship.The girl was 17-and-a-half at the time of the alleged offence and now lives with the defendant's mother.
• The case originated on March 19 when a medical officer at a civil hospital notified police that a girl admitted for childbirth was under the age of consent.The defendant was arrested on March 20 after the girl initially told police the pregnancy had resulted from physical...