HC rejects bail plea of ward commissioner

SHILLONG: The High Court of Meghalaya has rejected the bail application of rape accused ward commissioner of Shillong Cantonment Board, Vikash Gupta.
During the hearing on Saturday, the single bench headed by Justice W. Diengdoh observed that the court is of the opinion that there is prima facie evidence that the accused has committed the offence as alleged and taking into account his standing in society vis- a- vis the position of the complainant and the victim, at this stage, bail cannot be granted to the petitioner.
Gutpa was arrested on November 8 for allegedly raping an 18- year- old girl on November 6 based on an FIR lodged by her mother.
Later on November 14, while the accused was in judicial custody, a subsequent FIR was filed by the victim.
The victim alleged that she was harassed by the petitioner and the same was treated as a supplementary FIR by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Shillong.
The court said the victim had given consistent statements before the police as well as the magistrate as to the fact that she was sexually assaulted by the petitioner.