In a significant development, the Delhi High Court has rejected the bail plea of a school teacher who is facing charges of repeatedly raping his minor student and threatening to release a video recording of the incidents.
The accused has been booked under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO).
The court, while dismissing the bail plea, emphasized that it found no reason to doubt the credibility of the victim's statement. Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani, who presided over the case, observed that the prosecutrix had affirmed the allegations against the accused as stated in the First Information Report (FIR). The court further highlighted the existence of forensic evidence that strongly supported the prosecution's case. The forensic report indicated that the accused's DNA matched the DNA found on exhibits related to the victim, collected during the investigation.
The judge noted that the interaction between the accused and the victim occurred within the context of a teacher-student relationship, which heightened the severity of the alleged offenses. The court questioned why the accused's DNA matched if their relationship was solely that of a teacher and student. It emphasized that the accused's argument regarding the consent of the victim was irrelevant in relation to the offenses committed before she reached the age of majority.
Additionally, the court took into account the CCTV footage collected by the prosecution, which showed the accused and the victim entering a hotel room together. It pointed out that the footage remained unexplained, raising questions about their actions and the circumstances surrounding their presence at the hotel.
The court concluded that the gravity of the charges, combined with the relative social standing of the accused and the victim, warranted further investigation and precautions. It expressed concerns that the accused might attempt to influence witnesses, evade justice, or disrupt the trial if released on bail.
The accused had argued for consensual sexual intercourse and highlighted his clean antecedents, absence of prior criminal involvement, and the extended period he had already spent in judicial custody.
The Delhi High Court's decision signifies its commitment to prioritizing the safety and protection of minors in cases of sexual offenses. The court emphasized that the allegations required careful examination and provided no opinion on the merits of the matter. The trial will proceed accordingly, with the accused remaining in custody until further proceedings take place.
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