Mumbai: Bail Granted to Teacher in Student Sexual Assault Case

A special POCSO court has made an important observation while granting bail to a 40-year-old teacher from a renowned school in Mumbai, who was arrested on charges of sexually assaulting a student. 

The court said that based on the evidence, it is clear that there was a consensual relationship between the student and the teacher.

Taking note that the victim student is over 17 years old, Special Judge Sabina A. Malik stated, “Since the accused teacher has resigned from the school, there is no likelihood of the teacher and the student coming face to face, and therefore no reason for the teacher to exert any influence on the student.” 

The judge further noted that the trial is likely to take time, and keeping the accused in jail during this period would serve no productive purpose as per the report by The Times of India.

During the hearing, the victim student’s lawyers opposed the bail plea of the accused teacher, stating that if released on bail, she might pose a threat to the student’s life, intimidate him, cause harm, or tamper with evidence.

In response, the judge said, “If there is any potential threat to the victim, it can be mitigated by imposing necessary conditions. Strict conditions on the accused can reduce the complainant’s fears.”

While granting bail to the accused teacher, the judge imposed specific conditions, stating that the accused must not meet, contact, or threaten the victim in any way. She is also prohibited from approaching or threatening any witnesses or the victim, directly or indirectly. The judge further stated that if any of these conditions are violated, the accused teacher’s bail will be immediately revoked.

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The accused teacher is a mother of two minor children. She had resigned from the school in April 2024. She claimed that she had made several attempts to distance herself from the boy. She also argued that the FIR was filed just a few months before the student was to turn 18, implying that the complaint was timed to prevent the continuation of their relationship once he became an adult.