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Hindustan Times
02-08-2025
- Hindustan Times
Mumbai court grants bail to doctor accused of aiding teacher in teen's sexual assault
A special court under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act on Thursday granted bail to a West Bengal-based doctor accused of aiding the 40-year-old female teacher in the alleged sexual assault of a 17-year-old student at a reputed school in Mumbai. Panel attorneys make $175 an hour in non-capital cases, and a maximum of $223 an hour in capital cases. Image for representation(Pexel) The doctor, arrested on July 18 and remanded to judicial custody on July 23, was booked for allegedly prescribing anti-anxiety pills to the teenage boy that allegedly allowed the teacher to coerce him into submission and prolonged sexual relationship, though the teacher has denied the charges. Special judge Sabina A Malik, while allowing the bail plea, noted that the doctor was 'not the main accused' and that custodial interrogation was complete. 'There is nothing more to be recovered or discovered at the hands of this applicant,' the court observed, adding that 'the trial will take time to commence, and in the meantime, nothing fruitful would be gained by keeping this applicant behind bars.' The prosecution, as well as the minor survivor, opposed the bail plea. In a written submission, the boy said he feared manipulation or harm if the doctor were released, and that her freedom would leave him in a state of 'perpetual fear.' Granting bail on a personal bond of ₹50,000 with solvent sureties, the court imposed strict conditions: the doctor must not contact the survivor, tamper with evidence, or leave Mumbai without prior permission. 'Breach of any condition will amount to cancellation of bail forthwith,' the order stated. This development comes weeks after the court also granted bail to the boy's former teacher, who had been arrested under provisions of the POCSO Act, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and the Juvenile Justice Act. The teacher, who allegedly exploited the student over more than a year, was accused of luring him to five-star hotels, intoxicating him with alcohol and pills, and engaging in repeated sexual acts between January 2024 and February 2025. In her defence, the teacher argued that the FIR was 'motivated' and filed at the behest of the boy's mother. She claimed the relationship was consensual after the boy turned 16, and cited affectionate messages, handwritten notes, and a tattoo of her name on his body to support her claims. While granting her bail last month, the court observed that her resignation from the school in April 2024 had altered the 'student–teacher dynamic' and noted her responsibilities as a single mother of twins, one of whom is medically vulnerable. Both the doctor and the teacher remain accused under serious charges, including sections of the POCSO Act, BNS, and the Juvenile Justice Act. The court has warned that any violation of bail terms by either party will lead to immediate cancellation of relief.
Time of India
23-07-2025
- Time of India
Court says relationship consensual, grants bail to Mumbai school teacher
Representational image 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.
