A Mumbai POCSO special court grants temporary bail to an 18-year-old accused who is in jail on rape charges, so he can appear for the NEET-UG re-test scheduled for June 21. The accused is lodged in Taloja Central Prison in Navi Mumbai. The court grants the bail for a limited period from June 18 to June 21 after the rape survivor gives her no objection. The court sets the bail on a bond of Rs 50,000 with a similar amount as surety.
Prosecution and defence arguments are considered. The public prosecutor opposes the plea, citing the seriousness of the allegations, and asks that the accused, if allowed, should appear under police escort for a single day. The court notes that the defence produces documents including a higher secondary exam certificate and a provisional NEET admit card, and it observes that there are valid grounds to allow temporary release. The court includes strict conditions: the accused must not contact the victim, threaten or defame her or her family, tamper with evidence, or influence anyone connected to the case. He is also required to surrender at specified authorities within the set deadline after the exam and to submit an undertaking regarding his appearance.
