Ernakulam District and Principal Session’s Court on Wednesday granted bail to a person who attempted to molest a student travelling in a private bus at Kochi few weeks ago. Dileep, 30, of Elamakkara, owner and employee of the private bus ‘City Son’ was granted bail after the court found that his further detention in the case is not required.
The police investigating the case had charged a case under 354 and 354(A) of the IPC and Sections of the SC/ST(Prevention of Atrocities) Act. District and Principal Session’s court judge, P Ubaid, while passing the order said that this is a case of outraging the modesty of a girl and there is nothing to attract provisions of the SC/ST Act. But he can be punished under the Sections 354 and 354(A) of the IPC.
“When touching the body of the girl or humiliating her in a running bus with sexual intent, it is not made evident whether she is a member of the SC/ST. The court does not find the necessity of continuation of detention of the accused in custody,” the court observed.
However, the court makes it clear that regular bail granted to accused will not in any manner be a benefit to the other accused person to be arrested in the case. The court does not think that the probe will be obstructed if the accused person is released on appropriate condition,” the court said.
The court ordered that the accused should be released on bail after executing a bond with two sureties for Rs 25,000 to the satisfaction of the learned magistrate. He shall not enter the revenue village where the house of the victim in the case is located. He should not have any contact with material evidences directly or over the telephone or by other means. He shall not obstruct the arrest of other accused.