HC grants bail to Belgian fashion photographer

MUMBAI: Over two months in jail would not have been a part of Belgian photographer Van De Lanotte Gaetan’s itinerary on his visit to India but thankfully for him, his ordeal is now cut short. Bombay High Court on Monday granted bail of Rs50,000 to Gaetan who was arrested from Andheri in January for allegedly taking nude and obscene photographs of male models.

Observing that prima facie there was no offence made out against Gaetan, justice DG Karnik granted him bail but directed that his passport be retained until the police wound up their investigations. Gaetan was booked for offences under 292 (2) (Sale of obscene objects if they are lascivious or appeal to the prurient interest) of the IPC and section 67 of the Information Technology (IT) Act 2000 for transmitting obscene material via e-mail.

Arguing on behalf of Gaetan, senior advocate Ashok Mundargi said the nude photographs found on his laptop were sent to the models and not to third parties. Justice Karnik said the photographs were taken with the consent of models.

Additional public prosecutors Rajesh More and Swapnil Pednekar said Geatan had saved the pictures for publication in Belgium. Justice Karnik said the evidence on record did not disclose any offence committed in India.