HC directs rape accused to marry victim

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday granted temporary bail to a rape accused on the conditions that he has to marry the victim and produce a marriage certificate in 20 days to ensure confirmation of the bail.

He has also been directed to furnish a bond of Rs 50,000.
Hearing a petition filed by the victim, Justice V Jagannathan said: “The bail is granted for 20 days from the date of receipt of the court order. However, regular bail will be considered only after the accused submits a marriage certificate to the court.”
He also directed B K Narendra Babu, counsel for the victim, to ensure that the marriage took place.

Willing to reconcile
The court took into account the future of the victim’s two-month-old daughter and the fact that the duo were willing to reconcile and marry.
During the hearing, Babu submitted that the duo wanted to get married and approached their parents.

He said despite being distant relatives, parents objected to the marriage earlier, even as the victim “threatened the boy, forcing him to go into the hiding.”
Complaint lodged

“The girl, who was pregnant, lodged a complaint with the Hulimavu police. Accordingly, the boy was booked under charges of rape and cheating on April 3, 2012. However, she sought his release after the child was born,” the counsel said.