Karnataka High Court grants bail to POCSO accused, conditions release on marriage undertaking
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has granted bail to a POCSO rape accused, Lokesh Kumar, under the condition that he will marry the minor victim upon her reaching the age of majority. This decision came after both the accused and the guardian of the minor victim filed affidavits in court agreeing to the marriage arrangement.
Lokesh Kumar faced charges under Section 376(2)(n) of the IPC and various sections of the POCSO Act, 2012. The allegations against him revolved around the accusation of committing penetrative sexual assault on the victim, who later became pregnant and underwent an abortion at a hospital in Chikkaballapur District.
During the court proceedings, the petitioner/accused pledged in an affidavit to marry the victim once she reaches adulthood. Similarly, the minor guardian of the victim also submitted an affidavit expressing readiness to solemnize the marriage with the accused upon the victim's attainment of majority.
Considering these undertakings, the court concluded that the petitioner's presence was no longer required for the ongoing investigation, and thus, there was no purpose served by keeping him in custody. Consequently, the court granted bail to the accused upon the execution of a personal bond amounting to Rs. 1,00,000 with one surety, subject to specified conditions.
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Three National Conference workers injured in stabbing incident at poll rally in JK's Poonch
Mendhar/Jammu, May 19: Three National Conference (NC) workers were injured when unidentified persons attacked them with knives at an election rally in Mendhar in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Sunday, officials said.
NC president Farooq Abdullah was present at the rally organised by the party in support of its Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat candidate Mian Altaf in Mendhar. The rally continued without any disruption.
Officials said there was a clash between two groups over some issue during the rally. Taking advantage of the melee, the attackers managed to escape, the officials said.
Police have registered a case in connection with the incident and are trying to nab the culprits, they said.
Sohail Ahmad and Yaseer Ahmad, both residents of Harni, and Mohd Imran of Kasblari village, received stab injuries and were taken to a local hospital, the officials said.
They said the condition of Sohail and Yaseer was stated to be serious and they were referred to Government Medical College (GMC) Hospital, Rajouri for specialised treatment, they added.
Senior NC leader Javed Ahmad Rana termed the incident a "security lapse" and demanded immediate arrest of the culprits.
He said it is very strange that people carrying knives managed to enter the rally venue.
"It is a serious incident and should be probed," said Rana.
Some days ago, one of the injured youth's brothers was attacked by the same group and an FIR was registered against the accused, said the NC leader, who rushed to the hospital to inquire about the condition of the injured.
