Accept victim as wife to get bail: court to rape accused

The court then adjourned the hearing for a week as to find out whether the accused and his parents were willing to look after the victim. On Friday,when the case came up for hearing,the parents as well as the accused said that they are willing to look after the victim. Justice Kanade then granted Patil interim bail for a month on a bail bond of Rs 5000.

The court has granted a month’s time to see if the victim is being treated properly by the family. “If they treat her properly,Patil stands to secure regular bail in the case,” said Additional Public Prosecutor Swapnil Pednekar.

In June 2008,the Khopoli police in Raigad district had arrested Patil on charges of rape and criminal intimidation. The FIR stated that Patil had intercourse with the victim many a times after promising to marry her. Following this,the victim became pregnant. Patil,however,refused to marry her.

He was arrested on June 21,2008 and a chargesheet was filed in October. The sessions court had rejected his application for bail following which he moved the high court.

In his application,Patil contended that the allegations were vague and baseless as the victim was always the consenting party to the alleged act of intercourse and there was no evidence of alleged promise of marriage.

He also argued that the victim was over 18 years of age and the investigation was practically over. Hence,he said,his custody was not required anymore. The case will come up for hearing next month.