Court says relationship consensual, grants bail to Mumbai school teacher
MUMBAI: In a detailed order granting bail to a 40-year-old teacher from a prominent Mumbai school arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a male student, a special Pocso court said that there is evidence from both sides showing that subsequently there was a consensual relationship between them.
Noting the victim was over 17 years old, special judge Sabina A Malik said, "As the accused resigned from the school, the relationship of a teacher and student no longer existed and hence, the influence is diluted." The judge further mentioned that the trial will take time to commence and in the meantime, nothing fruitful would be gained by keeping the accused behind bars.
The victim opposed the bail plea, submitting that if the woman is released on bail, she will once again find ways to manipulate, intimidate, threaten and harm his life, and she will also tamper with the evidence.
However, the judge said, "The potential risk to the victim, if any, could be catered to by imposing necessary terms and conditions. The apprehension of the prosecution can be taken care of by imposing stringent conditions on the applicant (accused)," the judge said.
Imposing conditions on the release, the judge said the accused must not meet, contact or threaten the victim in any manner. She is forbidden from directly or indirectly inducing, threatening or promising anything to any witness or the victim.
The judge said breach of any of these conditions will result in immediate bail cancellation.
The maximum punishment attracted in the case is imprisonment for the remainder of that person's natural life. The woman, who resigned from the school last year, was arrested on June 29. She said she is working in a different field now. The prosecution also opposed the bail, referring to the mental trauma suffered by the minor.
Seeking bail, the woman's defence lawyers, Neeraj Yadav and Deepa Punjani, submitted that the case against her is "false and fabricated and motivated." It was also submitted that her grounds for arrest were provided solely in Marathi, a language she does not comprehend. She alleged that the grounds were never translated for her and that she was merely instructed to sign them, thereby failing to satisfy the mandate of the Constitution.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Decades of separatism crumble as Jammu and Kashmir leaders join national mainstream
Several former separatist leaders in Jammu and Kashmir are now publicly renouncing their past affiliations and pledging allegiance to India, a trend that marks a significant reversal in their stand from the early 1990s, when they often disassociated from the government under duress from terrorists. This shift began earlier this year, with more than 15 people submitting sworn affidavits and placing public advertisements in newspapers to declare their commitment to India and its Constitution. Productivity Tool Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide By Metla Sudha Sekhar View Program Finance Introduction to Technical Analysis & Candlestick Theory By Dinesh Nagpal View Program Finance Financial Literacy i e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By CA Rahul Gupta View Program Digital Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Neil Patel By Neil Patel View Program Finance Technical Analysis Demystified- A Complete Guide to Trading By Kunal Patel View Program Productivity Tool Excel Essentials to Expert: Your Complete Guide By Study at home View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program "We do get many applications from erstwhile separatists, and everyone is evaluated based on their involvement in anti-national activities ," a senior official said on the condition of anonymity. He added that if the separatist is involved in a "heinous crime, we allow the law to take its own course." Among the key leaders who have pledged to the Constitution include DPM's Mohammad Shafi Reshi, a former close aide of late Syed Ali Geelani and Shahid Saleem, chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir People's Movement . Live Events Neelofer Akbar Bhat, the spouse of Jammu and Kashmir Salvation Movement patron Zaffar Akbar Bhat, has made a public disassociation of her family with separatist conglomerate the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC). Similarly, Fareeda Behenji, chairperson of the Jammu Kashmir Mass Movement, has also formally separated herself and her organisation from separatist groups, stating in an affidavit that they have no links to the APHC or any similar platforms. Former Director General of Jammu and Kashmir police, Kuldeep Khoda, believes these developments are the result of a concerted effort to corner separatists. "These separatists have finally understood the futility of being a caged parrot of Pakistan's ISI," Khoda said. "Better sense has prevailed upon them, and they don't want to be part of the violence and false propaganda being peddled from across the border," he added. The government, in line with its policy of "zero tolerance" towards terrorism and secessionist activities, have proscribed a number of organisations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) that included the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat (TeH), Muslim League Jammu Kashmir (Masarat Alam group), Jamaat-e-Islami, Jammu and Kashmir (JeI) and Muslim Conference headed by Abdul Gani Bhat. Recently, Awami Action Committee (AAC), headed by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Jammu and Kashmir Ittihadul Muslimeen (JKIM), were prohibited under the UAPA.
Indian Express
8 hours ago
- Indian Express
Cattle markets at a standstill, farmers leaving animals on road: The fallout from Maharashtra butchers' strike over cow vigilantism
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar earlier this week instructed the police to prevent cow vigilantes from boarding or inspecting vehicles transporting animals. This directive comes in response to the ongoing strike by the Qureshi community, which has been protesting since July 22 against what they describe as an increase in harassment by cow vigilantes. With over 10 lakh butchers from the Qureshi community in Maharashtra going on strike, cattle markets in Akluj and Sangola taluka of Solapur district have virtually stopped operations. It, in turn, has impacted farmers who have now started leaving their unproductive animals loose across the countryside. Afsar Qureshi, member of the All India Jamiatul Quresh and the union of cattle traders, said their decision to stop trade was taken in the face of increased cow vigilantism. 'Even with proper documentation, we face violence from self-declared cow vigilantes. There is no protection for us who are carrying out trade in the legal manner,' he said. Quershi said the local police, at times, apply stringent sections of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999. 'Bribes are asked of us for freeing animals despite the court's ruling in our favour,' he said. Afsar said when their members transport animals, the vigilantes stop vehicles on highways. 'Even if we have proper papers, they confiscate our animals. Our vehicles are damaged intentionally,' he said. The Qureshi community, Afsar said, is spread across the state with a population of over 25 lakh , with a sizable portion of them being involved in the trade of cattle and meat. Since 2015, when the Devendra Fadnavis-led BJP-Shiv Sena government amended the Maharashtra Animal Preservation Act, 1976, to ban the slaughter of cow progeny, the trade in oxen and barren animals has completely collapsed, he said. Afsar noted that this single action has put over 5 lakh traditional butchers out of business. He said cattle traders are easy targets for many. 'When we are transporting the animals, many cow vigilantes frame us in false cases. They impound our vehicles and take away our animals. By the time we get court orders, we have lost business,' he said. Afsar said that while the Constitution has assured the right to livelihood, in the present environment, they are not allowed to practice the same. Senior cabinet leaders have called for action against cattle traders. Afsar said almost everyone associated with the cattle trade is targeted because of their religion, with little support from anyone. Currently, this strike has severely impacted the operations of cattle markets that handle animals for slaughter. In the cattle market located in Akluj taluka of Solapur, farmers would typically bring their non-productive male buffaloes for sale every Monday. Rajendra Kakade, secretary of the market, said the market saw business of around Rs 50 lakh on Mondays. 'Around 400-500 animals are sold with traders coming from every corner of the state,' he said. The market has completely shut down since the strike, leaving many farmers with no choice but to leave their animals on the roads. Similarly, the market in Sangola, located in the Solapur district, has also seen all activities come to a standstill. 'We hope for a quick resolution to the matter,' said Kakade. Partha Sarathi Biwas is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express with 10+ years of experience in reporting on Agriculture, Commodities and Developmental issues. He has been with The Indian Express since 2011 and earlier worked with DNA. Partha's report about Farmers Producer Companies (FPC) as well long pieces on various agricultural issues have been cited by various academic publications including those published by the Government of India. He is often invited as a visiting faculty to various schools of journalism to talk about development journalism and rural reporting. In his spare time Partha trains for marathons and has participated in multiple marathons and half marathons. ... Read More
The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
Filed breach of privilege complaint against Jharkhand officials: Nishikant Dubey after FIR against him
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Saturday (August 9, 2025) said he has filed a complaint with the Lok Sabha Speaker, alleging breach of privilege by Jharkhand officials, including the chief secretary and the DGP, after an FIR was registered against him for "hurting religious sentiments". The Jharkhand Police on Friday (August 8, 2025) said it has registered an FIR against BJP MPs Nishikant Dubey, Manoj Tiwari and others for "forcibly" entering the sanctum sanctorum of the Baba Baidyanath Temple in Deoghar on August 2 and hurting religious sentiments. "Fifty-one cases lodged against me. I have filed a case of privilege under Article 105 of the Constitution against the chief secretary, director general of police, Deoghar deputy commissioner and superintendent of police of Jharkhand," Mr. Dubey posted on X. The FIR was lodged under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita as per a complaint by temple priest Kartik Nath Thakur for 'forcibly entering the inner shrine on August 2 between 8.45 p.m. and 9 p.m.' despite a restriction on VIP or VVIP entry during the holy month of 'Shravan' in view of a large number of devotees. "I am the trustee of Baba Baidyanath Dham as a member of Parliament, as per the law. I am in a higher position than the priest. On what basis was the FIR lodged?" he asked while speaking to reporters in Deoghar. Dubey claimed that he went to Baba Baidyanath Dham Police Station so that the police personnel could arrest him, but they refused to do so.
