New Delhi: The Delhi High Court granted bail to a rape accused who was in custody for over seven years, stating that the trial could take a long time to conclude.
Out of 33 witnesses, only 13 have been examined, and the trial might take a long time, the single judge bench of Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma noted.
“In the present case, it is a matter of record that the prosecution has already been examined. Public witnesses examined as PW4 and PW5 have not supported the case of the prosecution. The petitioner has been in custody for over seven years. It is stated that out of 33 witnesses, only 13 have been examined, and the trial may take a long time,” said the bench.
The accused was booked for offences of gang rape, kidnapping, among others.
The prosecution opposed the bail application on the ground that the plaintiff made a consistent and corroborated statement on oath. The counsel for the prosecution submitted that if the accused is given bail, he may hamper the trial.
The court, citing its own order, said that the petitioner cannot be kept in custody for an indefinite period to await the outcome of the trial. The court granted bail on various conditions, including a bond of Rs 10,000 and a surety of a like amount.
