HC rejects pre-arrest bail plea of school chairman, secretary

BADLAPUR SEXUAL ASSAULT | Court dismisses argument FIR filed belatedly; says chances of evidence being tampered with and witnesses being influenced

- Urvi Mahaiani

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday rejected the pre-arrest bail of the chairman and secretary of the Badlapur school where two minors were sexually assaulted in August, observing that considering material on records, there are chances of evidence being tampered with and witnesses being influenced. The court also noted that it needs to consider that the victims are minors and the incident is likely to have a profound impact leaving them scarred for life.

The HC was hearing pleas by the school's chairman and secretary seeking pre-arrest bail, after their pleas were rejected by the sessions court at Thane. While rejecting the pleas, Justice RN Laddha observed that there is material to show the two accused were aware of the alleged incident before August 16 but they failed to take any steps to report it to police or local authority.