A special POCSO court in Mumbai has granted a four-day temporary bail to an 18-year-old accused in a rape case, allowing him to appear for the NEET-UG re-test scheduled on June 21.
The accused, currently lodged in Taloja Central Prison, was granted temporary bail from June 18 to June 21. The court directed him to surrender before authorities by 2 p.m. on June 22, a day after the examination.
Special Judge S.R. Sharma approved the plea after considering the accused's educational prospects and documents submitted by the defence, including his higher secondary examination certificate and provisional NEET admit card. The court observed that there were valid grounds to permit him to take the medical entrance examination.
The accused faces charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for rape and provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Defence counsel argued that allowing the student to appear for the examination would support his educational future and rehabilitation.
The prosecution opposed the bail plea, citing the seriousness of the allegations, and suggested that the accused be permitted to take the examination only under police escort. However, the court opted for temporary bail with strict conditions.
As part of the bail conditions, the accused has been barred from contacting the survivor, influencing witnesses, tampering with evidence, or issuing any threats. The court also directed him to submit proof of having appeared for the examination when he surrenders. The temporary bail was granted on a bond of INR 50,000 with a surety of the same amount.
The relief was granted after the survivor reportedly informed the court that she had no objection to the temporary bail, subject to assurances that neither she nor her family would face intimidation or defamation.
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