The High Court on Thursday reserved the judgment after hearing arguments from both the parties in connection with the bail petition filed by Pascal Mazurier, a French diplomat, who has been accused by his wife Suja Jones of raping their three-and-a-half-yearold daughter.
After arguments of both the parties were completed, Justice HN Nagamohan Das reserved the judgment.
Earlier, Senior Counsel Pramila Nesargi who represents Suja argued that the lab where DNA was tested is not equipped properly and has inadequate staff, besides having no person to head the lab.
Justice Das directed her to argue on the issue of granting bail, saying that the bail petition has nothing to do with the scientific authenticity of the DNA report.
Nesargi further stated that if the accused gets bail he might tamper the documents and witnesses, or flee the country. There is also threat to the life of the child as the investigation in this case is yet to be completed, she maintained.
Meanwhile, State Public Prosecutor H S Chandramouli said that custody of the petitioner was necessary as further investigation is to be conducted.
Senior counsel C V Nagesh who represented Pascal, stated that the DNA report exonerated him and statements by the house maid, cook and car driver attached to Pascal’s family indicate his innocence, hence no question of tampering the evidences.
Pascal cannot flee the country as his passport has been seized. Hence he is entitled for bail on all grounds, he contended.
Earlier on July 27, Fast Track Court-I had rejected Pascal’s bail plea, saying that though the DNA test result has not tallied with the DNA profile of the accused, bail cannot be granted to him only on this ground.