Septuagenarian widower granted anticipatory bail
KOCHI: The Kerala High Court has granted anticipatory bail to a septuagenarian accused in a rape case. It was alleged the accused, a widower, had engaged in sex with the complainant after promising to marry her.
And the court,while granting anticipatory bail to George Albert of Ernakulam on January 30, had expressed doubts over the complaint lodged by the 54-year-old victim,a widow.
The victim claimed the accused, after promising he would marry her immediately, had tied a white thread around her neck making it appear as though they were legally married. And the High Court which examined the complaint said,”It is quite difficult to believe at this stage the victim believed the words of the petitioner. Whether the consent given by the victim for sexual intercourse has been vitiated is a question of fact.
As of now, the allegations in the complaint can be accepted only with a pinch of salt.The petitioner is aged around 70.”
The court held that the petitioner shall be granted bail on executing a bond for `50,000,if arrested. He shall appear before the investigating officer(IO) for interrogation if required, the HC said.