NEW DELHI: In a case involving alleged sexual harassment, the Supreme Court on Wednesday granted anticipatory bail to Srinivas BV, the president of the Indian Youth Congress.
Angkita Dutta, the former state Youth Congress president, was allegedly assaulted and molested by Srinivas on April 22. The case was reported to the Dispur police station under provisions of the Indian Penal Code that deal with molestation, assault, and statements or actions meant to offend a woman's modesty.
Srinivas was also charged with violating Information Technology Act Section 67, which addresses the publication or transmission of pornographic material in electronic form.
The Gauhati High Court rejected his petition to overturn the initial information report on May 4. Additionally, the High Court had rejected his request for anticipatory bail, which prompted him to file a case with the Supreme Court.
After Dutta accused the Youth Congress leader of mentally abusing her and treating her unfairly for six months on April 18, a FIR was filed against him. She claimed that she was instructed to remain silent and that no investigation into her claims was made. Due to alleged anti-party activity, Dutta was kicked out of the group's primary membership on April 22 for a period of six years.
The complaint was filed in Assam in April, whereas the alleged assault is said to have occurred between February 24 and February 26 in Raipur, according to a division bench made up of Justices BR Gavai and Sanjay Karol on Wednesday.
“Prima facie, taking into consideration the delay of almost two months in lodging the FIR, will entitle the petitioner to interim protection,” the Supreme Court said. “We direct that in the event of arrest the petitioner shall be released on anticipatory bail on furnishing solvent sureties to the sum of Rs 50,000.”
During his appearance on behalf of Srinivas, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi informed the court that Dutta's tweets prior to filing the complaint dealt with the claimed discrimination she experienced in the party. Additionally, before the lawsuit was filed, she gave six media interviews, but none of them included any claims of sexual harassment, he claimed.
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