The Delhi High Court refused to grant interim bail to an accused involved in a rape and POCSO case. However, the court instructed jail authorities to escort him to his exam center in custody for an Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) examination. The accused, facing charges under Section 376 of the IPC and Section 6 of the POCSO Act, had requested bail to appear in an exam scheduled for July 8.
The prosecution opposed the bail plea, citing the advanced stage of the trial and concerns about the accused potentially fleeing. They pointed out forensic evidence, including DNA profiling, against the accused and questioned why he hadn’t sought an exam center within the jail. Despite this, the court balanced the rights involved and ordered the accused to be taken to the exam center on July 8 between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. in custody.
The court also mandated the accused to provide his IGNOU hall ticket or admit card to the Jail Superintendent promptly. Justice Kathpalia emphasized that the order should not prejudice the accused’s defense during the trial. The directive was to be conveyed to the concerned Jail Superintendent to ensure compliance with the court’s decision.
