![[Sexual Assault on Minor] High Court Dismisses Default Bail Plea of Suspended Delhi Govt Officer Premoday Khakha and Wife](https://thesenateofjurists.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/banner-image-news.jpg)
The Delhi High Court on Monday rejected the plea of suspended Delhi government Women and Child Development Department Officer Premoday Khakha and his wife Seema Rani, seeking statutory (default) bail. Justice Jyoti Singh dismissed their plea, stating that the trial court’s order was without any flaw, and the police had conducted a substantial investigation before filing the charge sheet within the prescribed time.
“The charge sheet was filed on October 11, 2023, and the trial court took cognizance on November 8, 2023. A significant investigation has been completed. The court finds no flaw in the trial court’s decision to refuse default bail,” the court stated.
Premoday Khakha and Seema Rani Khakha had sought statutory bail on the grounds that the Delhi Police had not completed the investigation within the specified time frame.
Premoday Khakha allegedly raped the girl multiple times between November 2020 and January 2021. The victim, a family friend, had been staying at the accused’s residence after her father’s death on October 1, 2020. The minor was allegedly impregnated, and Khakha’s wife, Seema Rani (also an accused), administered medication to terminate the pregnancy.
The couple was arrested on August 2, 2023, after the victim recorded her statement before a magistrate at a hospital.
The case was registered under provisions of the POCSO Act and IPC sections 376(2)(f) (rape by a person in a position of trust or authority), 509 (outraging the modesty of a woman), 506 (criminal intimidation), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 313 (causing miscarriage without consent), and 120B (criminal conspiracy).
The high court had suo moto taken cognizance of the matter on August 28, 2023.
