5th man arrested for molesting Manipuri girls granted bail

New Delhi: A Delhi court on Thursday granted bail to the fifth accused arrested for allegedly beating and molesting two Manipuri girls and hurling racist abuses at them.
On February 14, the court had also allowed the bail pleas of accused Prem Raj, Bhagwandas, Yogesh Prasad and Manoj while asking them to furnish bail bond of Rs 30,000 each with surety of the like amount.
The fifth accused Bharat Singh was enlarged on bail on the ground of “parity”.
“It is submitted by counsel for applicant (Bharat Singh) that co-accused Yogesh, Manoj, Prem Raj and Bhagwandas facing similar allegations have already been admitted on bail… “Aforesaid fact is not disputed by Additional Public Prosecutor also. Considering same and also the fact that applicant is in JC (judicial custody) since February 4, 2014 he is admitted on bail on his furnishing a personal bond in sum of Rs 30,000 with one surety in the like amount…,” Additional Sessions Judge Rajinder Kumar Shastri said.
The court, however, imposed certain conditions and asked Bharat not to leave the national capital without informing it. It further said that he should not “try to contact the witnesses or influence them in any manner”.
The five accused had on February 4 refused to undergo test identification parade, saying the complainants will identify them as they are locals.
The incident, which occurred at Kotla Mubarakpur area on January 25 evening, came to light following an uproar over the death of Arunachal Pradesh student Nido Tania, who was allegedly assaulted by shopkeepers on January 29.
Facing criticism over “delay” in lodging of an FIR and alleged inaction, police initially arrested 32-year-old Prem from Kotla Mubarakpur here, seven days after the incident.
Police booked the five under section 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 352 (punishment for assault or criminal force otherwise than on grave provocation) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) read with 34 (common intention) of the IPC and section 3 (11) of SC/ST Act.
According to police, the two girls were beaten up by a group of men who were in their late 20s. (PTI)