Anticipatory bail to rape accused for social service unwarranted: HC

The Delhi High Court has quashed a trial court order granting anticipatory bail to a rape accused after he offered to perform community service by teaching poor children, saying grant of relief was "unwarranted" in a case of sexual assault.

Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva said once the trial court came to the conclusion that the accused was not entitled to the relief and his plea lacked merit, "granting bail solely on the plea of community service, in a case involving sections 313 (causing miscarriage without a woman's consent) and 376 (rape) of IPC, was completely unwarranted".

Both offences carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

"In view of the above, the later part of the order (of trial court), directing release of respondent no. 2 (accused) on anticipatory bail, is quashed," the court said and disposed of a plea moved by the complainant woman challenging the anticipatory bail granted to the man, an MBA student, on February 5 this year.

According to her complaint, the accused had befriended her on social media site Facebook and she entered into physical relations with him after he promised to marry her.

However, when she became pregnant, he had forcibly administered a medicine to abort the foetus, the woman has alleged in her complaint.