Mumbai:
In a relief to Anil Mahabole, the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) of Mumbai, the Bombay High Court has granted him interim bail in a rape case. He was accused of raping and blackmailing a middle-aged woman. Mr Mahabole's lawyer said, the court observed that prima facie, a case of rape was not made out against him.
After examining the police report, Mr Mahabole's lawyer Rohini Wagh said, Justice A.M. Thipsay observed the court did not believe the rape allegation against the accused.
"Accordingly, the court has granted him interim bail with a surety of Rs.30,000 and posted the matter for final hearing April 30. In the meantime, he has been ordered to report to the investigation office daily for questioning in the case," Mr Wagh told IANS.
An assistant commissioner of police posted in the Riot Control Police, Mr Mahabole was accused of alleged rape by a middle-aged housewife last week.
She alleged that Mr Mahabole blackmailed her on the basis of an MMS clip showing her in a compromising position, threatened her and repeatedly raped her for the last eight months.
On April 11 the woman approached top police authorities who ordered an inquiry which registered a First Information Report (FIR) after Mr Mahabole's role in the crime was established.
According to the victim, Mahabole came to her house and offered her some sweets. She claimed that she passed out after eating the sweets and when she regained consciousness, he showed her the MMS clip.
The court said that the victim appeared to be "a consenting party" and it appeared more to be an illicit relationship, Mr Wagh said.
Wagh also refuted reports of Mr Mahabole's suspension, saying so far no such orders have been served on him.
"We have been hearing it on television channels, but there are no orders suspending him," he said.
On April 19, Mr Mahabole was denied an anticipatory bail by the Sessions Court in Mumbai. The court had observed that the allegations against Mr Mahabole were of serious nature and that the case was registered against him after an internal inquiry was conducted.