• NET Web Desk

Violence against women have been escalating since decades, leading to immense mental trauma. In a similar such shameless act, a Padma Awardee hailing from the northeastern state of Assam has been booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) for allegedly raping his foster child.

The Assam Police has registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the accused, after a complaint was received from a Chief Judicial Magistrate, who was briefed about the same by  District Legal Services Authority (DSLA) on December 17, informed a TOI report.

“We cannot comment on it since it’s sub judice, but the investigation is on,” – informed a police official investigating the case.

However, right after the case was registered, the accused moved to Gauhati High Court (HC), seeking for a pre-arrest bail. On December 28, 2021, he was granted interim bail, and the court called for the case diary on January 7, 2022.

Through the order, Justice Arun Dev Choudhury said the offence was ‘serious in nature’. “However, interim bail was granted, taking into consideration the ‘antecedents of the petitioner, his allegation that the instant FIR has been lodged to humiliate and malign his reputation’ as well as a counter petition against the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) of the district.” – asserted the TOI report.

Noting that the FIR did not “disclose any specific statement” of the victim, the court said an interim order would be passed in the “interest of justice”. It asked the petitioner to appear before the police within 7 days.

As per a police official, the accused had appeared before them and his statement had been recorded. The FIR depicted that the victim, an inmate of a children’s home, had alleged sexual assault for a year by her foster father while she was under his care.

Furthermore, the victim is currently in a children’s home, under special police protection.