Karnataka HC Permits Bail to Drama Artist Accused of Throwing Acid on Co-Artist in Order to Eliminate Competition

Karnataka High Court Law Insider

Aastha Thakur

Published on: 14 October 2022 at 21:03 IST

The Karnataka High Court has granted bail to a lady who is accused of throwing acid on the face of another female co-artist in retaliation and to ruin her prospects of landing roles in plays.

The Committal Court was instructed to release Swathi on bail in the case filed by Nandini Layout Police Station for the offences punishable under Sections 326A, 448 read with Section 34 of the IPC, upon execution of a personal bond for the sum of Rs. 5,00,000, with two sureties for the same sum. The petition filed by Swathi was granted by a single judge bench of Justice K Natarajan.

The third accuser included in the FIR is the petitioner. According to the prosecution, she conspired with Accused Nos. 1 and 2 and the group decided to ‘ugly’ the victim by throwing acid in her face. As a result, it is claimed that the group of three went to her home, where accused No. 1 allegedly splashed cleaning acid on her face and back while she was asleep before fleeing.

Accused Nos. 1 through 3 have been apprehended and are being held in jail after the CCTV evidence was verified.

Observations:

The Court stated at the opening that it is terrible that a lady intentionally disfigured another woman as a competition by throwing acid on her through accused Nos. 1 and 2.

However, it permitted the bail plea, taking into account the victim’s “superficial injuries” and the length of the petitioner’s custody.

This petitioner is also a woman, a co-drama artist and in custody for almost more than five months. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the co-accused are already arrested and they are in jail.”

“Therefore, by imposing certain stringent conditions, if bail is granted to the petitioner, no prejudice would be caused to the case of the prosecution.

The Court also added that the investigation into the case is over, and a charge sheet has been submitted.

Case Title: Swathi v. State of Karnataka

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