Soni Satti
The Supreme Court asked a government employee seeking protection from arrest whether he would marry a woman who has accused him of rape.
The Supreme court was hearing the bail request of Mohit Subhash Chavan, a technician with the Maharashtra State Electric Production Company. He has been accused of raping a schoolgirl and faces charges under the severe POSCO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act.
‘’If you want to marry, we can help you. If not, you lose your job and go to jail. You seduced the girl, raped her,” Chief Justice of India SA Bobde told the petitioner’s lawyer, who argued that his client could lose his job.
The Chief Justice stated: “We aren’t forcing you to marry. Tell us if you’ll. In any other case, you’ll say we’re forcing you to marry her.”
The accused told the Supreme Court: “Initially I wanted to marry her. But she refused. Now I cannot as I am already married.”
He further stated “I am a government servant and if I am arrested, I will be suspended automatically,”
To which Chief Justice Bobde replied “That’s why we have given you this indulgence. We will stay the arrest for four weeks. Then you apply for regular bail,“
The trial court had granted Chavan protection from arrest but the High Court had canceled it.
The Supreme Court stated he wouldn’t be arrested for 4 weeks and he might apply for normal bail.
Read more: Hathras Gang Rape Case: CBI files status report before High Court
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