NEW DELHI: A city court granted bail to Aam Aadmi Party legislator Dinesh Mohaniya, who was arrested in a case of alleged molestation, on Monday stating that no purpose would be served by keeping him in judicial custody as investigation was almost complete.
Additional Sessions Judge Neelam Singh granted bail to Mohaniya, whose earlier two pleas were dismissed by magisterial courts. The bail “Perusal of record shows that the investigation is almost complete in the case. It is a fact that the appellant accused is a member of the Legislative Assembly and has his roots in the society. Since the investigation is almost complete and the fact that accused is in judicial custody since June 25, therefore no purpose would be served by keeping him in judicial custody anymore. Therefore, I am inclined to release accused Dinesh Mohaniya on bail on furnishing a personal bond and a surety bond of Rs 50,000 with one local surety of the like amount," the judge said.
The judge also directed Mohaniya not to tamper with prosecution evidence or hamper the investigation in any manner and asked him to join the investigation as and when required.
During the arguments, the Delhi police opposed the bail plea saying he was an influential person and if released, he may tamper with evidence and may even win over witnesses.
However, the MLA's counsel argued that the politician was ready to abide by all conditions imposed by the court and not interfere in any manner with the investigation and prosecution evidence.
According to the complaint filed by a woman, she along with other women had visited the office of Mohaniya with regard to water problem on June 22 and the legislator and his associates had misbehaved with them and pushed them out of the office.
It was recorded in the FIR that threats were given to the women that if they dared to visit the office again, their hands and feet would be broken.
A magisterial court had on June 25 refused to grant bail to Mohaniya on the ground that the allegations against him were grave in nature and required investigation.
His second plea seeking bail was also dismissed by another magisterial court on June 27 which refused to interfere with the earlier order and sent the MLA to 14 days in Tihar Jail.
He virtually dragged from his seat by a police officer during a presser organized by him at his office in Khanpur in South Delhi. An FIR was lodged at South Delhi's Neb Sarai Police Station.