Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Fast Track Special Court (POCSO) in Panaji has granted bail to a 20-year-old engineering student who was arrested earlier this month on charges of raping a 17-year-old girl.
The accused, taken into custody on August 5, had been lodged in judicial lockup for almost three weeks. Police had booked him under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. According to the complaint, the alleged assault occurred at the student’s South Goa residence between March 15 and April 3 and led to the minor becoming pregnant.
Opposing the bail plea, the prosecution highlighted the gravity of the offence and argued that releasing the accused could jeopardize the investigation. However, the defence countered that the FIR was filed only after the girl underwent an abortion, that the accused had no criminal antecedents, and that the arrest was made merely on suspicion.
In its ruling, the court noted that the FIR had been registered as a Zero FIR, that the accused had no prior criminal record, and that the girl continued to remain in contact with him even after the complaint was lodged. It also observed that the two were in a relationship.
While granting bail, the court imposed strict conditions: the accused must execute a personal bond of ₹25,000 with one surety, report to the investigating officer daily for one month, refrain from contacting the victim, and not leave the country without permission. The court warned that any violation would lead to immediate cancellation of bail.
