Rape accused trustee told not to enter school

The Bombay High Court on Monday asked the trustee of an international school, a French national, not to enter the school until further orders. The trustee has been accused of raping a minor student of the school and is presently out on bail. 

Justice Revati Mohite Dhere, while hearing the appeal filed by the victim’s mother against the bail order granted by the sessions court, said, “This is a serious matter. Prima facie there is material against the accused and the statement of the prosecutrix is cohesive and consistent.”

The accused was arrested last year and granted bail thereafter. He resumed duties and was attending school. In support of the victim’s parents, 42 students and parents joined the plea seeking cancellation of bail and restraining the trustee from entering the school. 

Advocate Vijay Hiremath, appearing for the victim’s mother, argued that the session court’s order of November 24 last year, granting bail to the trustee, was bad in law. Relying on the statement of the victim given the police he pointed out that there were no inconsistencies. However, the sessions court while granting bail held it to be a ground, which was incorrect.