Shillong: The Meghalaya High Court on Monday (November 22, 2021) accepted the bail plea of a 'juvenile' accused of sexual abuse saying that the accused and the victim had a romantic relationship and had a relationship with them during the same time. The case against the accused was being heard under the POCSO Act. The court accepted the petition on a personal bond of 20,000 rupees. The accused was directed not to molest the witnesses in the case nor escape or leave the jurisdiction of the lower court.

Justice W Dingdoh said prima facie it is clear that the two had a romantic relationship and the sex between them was consensual. The court also said that even after the fact that consent is not accepted in the case of the victim being a minor. The court is considering the plea for bail. As soon as the court heard the case, it was noted that there was a relationship between the victim and the accused and the complaint in the case has been made by the mother of the victim. The court said that it is a matter of evidence that the alleged offence constitutes sexual harassment as per the provisions of the POCSO Act.

The accused's lawyer CB Sevian said his client was a teenager at the time and was not able to understand the outcome of what he had done. In that case, if he is kept with the criminals, it may have an impact on his future. Additional Advocate General B Bhattacharjee, who was in favour of the victim, said the accused was an adult who was arrested on serious charges. The provisions of the POCSO Act do not distinguish between the seriousness of the crime whether it is the result of a romantic relationship.

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