New Delhi [India], August 3 (ANI): Delhi High Court granted bail to Seema Rani Khakha, wife of main accused Premoday Khakha, in a 2023 POCSO case. She was arrested in August 2023. Premoday Khakha, a former director in the Delhi government’s Social Welfare Department, is the main accused in the case.
She was granted bail by the High Court after noting she has already undergone a custody of almost three years. The victim and her mother have already been examined by the court.
Justice Manoj Jain granted bail to Seema Rani Khakha after considering all facts and circumstances. She has been granted bail on furnishing a bail bond of Rs. 25,000 and one surety of like amount.
While granting bail, the High Court noted that only 2 witnesses out of 34 have been examined so far, the victim and her mother. The court also noted that the charges of rape and POCSO have already been set aside by the High Court.
The court observed that the accused is a woman and in custody for a period close to three years. Main charges have been set aside. Only the victim and her mother have been examined so far. Therefore, there is no possibility of conclusion of trial in the near future. In these circumstances, she is entitled to be released on bail.
As per Delhi police, there are 4 accused in this case, namely Premoday Khakha, his wife Seema Rani Khakha and their two children.
The allegations are that Premoday committed rape 4-5 times on the minor who was less than 15 years of age. The victim is a daughter of his close friend who died in Covid. Due to sexual intercourse, she got pregnant. The victim confided in Seema Rani Khakha. Instead of helping her, the accused Seema gave her pills that resulted in the termination of pregnancy.
Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) submitted that the victim could die as the pill was given without medical help. The accused can influence other witnesses if enlarged on bail.
Advocates Shubhashis Soren and Rahul kumar, Counsel for Accused, submitted that the accused is in custody for the last 2 years 11 months. The main witnesses have been examined by the court. The charges of rape and POCSO have been set aside by this court.
In this case, an FIR was lodged at Burari Police Station in 2023. The trial is going on in Tis Hazari Court. (ANI)
Related reading
