MUMBAI: A man who allegedly stalked a minor and raped her has been granted bail by the Bombay high court which observed that her complaint indicates they were in a relationship.
The accused (then 26) was booked for rape, stalking and under the Pocso Act. The FIR said he had been following her since September 2018 on her way to school. In December 2018, he sexually assaulted her and threatened her with dire consequences if she disclosed it to anyone. He repeated the act in January and February 2019.
Justice Prakash Naik after perusing the FIR of July 19, 2019, in his August 26 order, noted that at the request of the accused the minor visited his house and he subjected her to sexual intercourse.
“Thereafter, on two occasions, she had visited the residential premises of the applicant and similar acts were committed. This indicates the victim and accused were in a relationship.” He directed the accused to be released on a personal bond.
(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault)
