Why Did the Accused in the Bengal Rape Case Receive Bail?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Victim Cooperation: Non-cooperation from the victim can significantly impact legal outcomes.
- Judicial Decisions: Courts must navigate complex emotional and legal landscapes in such cases.
- Public Perception: Rulings in high-profile cases can influence public opinion on judicial fairness.
Kolkata, July 19 (NationPress) A trial court in Kolkata issued an interim bail on Saturday to the accused involved in the alleged rape of a woman on the premises of the Indian Institute of Management-Calcutta (IIM-C) earlier this month.
According to reports from IANS earlier today, the defense attorneys representing the accused argued that the victim was showing non-cooperation during the investigation, a claim that was reiterated in court.
The defense, representing a second-year IIM-C student, pointed out three significant instances where the victim did not cooperate: she failed to appear in court on three occasions this week to have her confidential statement recorded by a judicial magistrate, she declined to undergo a media-legal examination, and she refused to hand over the clothing she wore during the alleged assault to the investigating officers.
The defense cited these instances to justify their request for bail, which the presiding judge ultimately granted.
In contrast, the public prosecutor argued that the victim's absence was due to her mental distress following the traumatic incident.
The police custody of the accused had expired on Saturday, leading to his appearance at the trial court.
The public prosecutor requested judicial custody and indicated that the state might pursue further police custody if needed.
However, the judge dismissed the prosecutor's requests and granted interim bail to the accused with a personal bail bond of Rs 50,000.
Furthermore, the court imposed certain restrictions on the accused's movement during the bail period.