Karnataka HC grants bail to hockey player in POCSO case

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday granted anticipatory bail to a national hockey player, who was accused of raping and punishable offences under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO).

A single bench led by Justice Rajendra Badamikar had entertained the accused’s bail application and said, “The matter requires a detailed trial and if the petitioner is found guilty during the course of the trial, then the law will take its own course. However, the pre-trial detention is unwarranted as it will be a serious stigma on the character of a person.”

The victim, however, reportedly claimed that the petitioner had raped her on the promise of marriage and later retracted the statement.

She also claimed that the petitioner had threatened to enter into a physical relationship with her as a result of intimate photographs.

The petitioner responded that they were in a relationship from 2021 to 2023, the time where the victim was a major, and pointed out the delay in filing the FIR.

Then the bench, after looking into the records of both the petitioner and the victim concluded that the allegations of rape do not carry much strength as they were in a consensual relationship for four years.

What is the real intention of the complainant-victim in prosecuting this matter is not at all forthcoming," the Court added.

The petitioner was later granted bail on the condition of furnishing a personal bond worth Rs. 2 lakh.