Release On Conditional Bond
The Telangana High Court on Thursday granted conditional regular bail to a 25-year-old student, Bhagirath, who was arrested in May for allegedly sexually harassing a minor. Justice K Sujana directed the accused to execute a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh along with two sureties. Under the court’s bail conditions, Bhagirath must cooperate fully with the ongoing police investigation and is strictly prohibited from interfering with the probe or influencing witnesses.
Arguments Over Custody And Consent
During the bail hearing, senior advocate T Niranjan Reddy, representing Bhagirath, argued that the criminal proceedings were unsustainable because the allegations stemmed from a consensual relationship. Reddy emphasized that Bhagirath, a Bachelor of Business Administration student, had already spent more than 45 days in judicial custody at Cherlapally Central Prison, causing significant disruption to his academic and personal life. The defense assured the court that the student would strictly abide by all imposed bail conditions.
Conversely, public prosecutor Palle Nageswara Rao strongly opposed the bail petition. Rao informed the court that the investigation, which began after the initial complaint on May 8, was in its final stages. He stated that investigators had already collected crucial evidence and recorded multiple witness statements, with the final charge sheet scheduled to be filed within the mandated timeframe. The prosecution contended that releasing the accused at this juncture risked witness tampering and could hinder the remaining investigation. Justice Sujana had reserved the order on July 6 after hearing both sides.
Prior Arrest And Legal Timeline
The case originated on May 8 when the Pet Basheerabad police booked Bhagirath following allegations of sexual harassment from a 17-year-old girl. After recording the minor’s formal statement, the police added serious charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Following the High Court’s refusal to grant him interim protection, Bhagirath was taken into custody on May 16. While law enforcement officials stated that he was arrested on the outskirts of Hyderabad, his legal counsel claimed he had voluntarily surrendered to cooperate with the probe. He was subsequently remanded to Cherlapally Central Prison.
The High Court had previously granted Bhagirath a brief interim bail on June 20 to allow him to write his supplementary BBA examinations. In compliance with the court’s order, he surrendered back to the prison authorities on June 25 after completing his exams.
