The Allahabad High Court denied bail to a lawyer accused of sexually assaulting a law student training under him on Thursday.
The application for release was denied by Justice Samit Gopal on the grounds that the accused provided no arguments in his appeal to support his claim that this was a false charge, and the investigation against the other accused was still ongoing.
“The prosecutrix was junior in the office of the applicant. The allegations are against practising law and is a person in uniform involved in a noble profession. The office of a lawyer is not less respected than courts of law.”
The prosecutrix’s father filed a First Information Report (FIR) against the applicant, advocate Rajkaran Patel, and another individual in connection with an event in which the prosecutrix was allegedly tempted away.
According to the FIR, she was around 20 years old, pursuing her LL.B., and working at the High Court with the applicant. The applicant requested bail on the basis that he had been unfairly accused, that the prosecutrix’s story was inconsistent, and that medical proof was lacking. The prosecutrix was also said to be constantly modifying and enhancing her version.
The State and High Court Legal Service Committee Counsel, on the other hand, argued that the applicant, as an Advocate, had abused a girl who was a law student under the guise of providing legal training to her through his office and courts.
The Court took note of the prosecutrix’s persistent use of the applicant’s name and role, and the possibility that the applicant could sway the investigation or tamper with evidence could not be discounted.
“The investigation for other accused persons is pending and the apprehension of learned counsels for the state and of the panel lawyer of high court legal service committee of the applicant being in a position to influence the investigation and tamper with the evidence cannot be ruled out at this stage. Looking to the facts and circumstances of the case, I do not find a fit case for bail, hence, the bail application is rejected.”