Mumbai Sessions Court Denies Anticipatory Bail To Coaching Class Teacher Accused Of Molesting 21-Year-Old Student

Mumbai: A sessions court has refused to grant anticipatory bail to a teacher, running a coaching class, for allegedly molesting a 21-year-old student when she went to enquire for BA classes. The victim, a college dropout, wanted to resume her studies and hence she had gone to meet the accused, 31, whom she apparently knew, on June 20.

According to the Santacruz police, the teacher took her to another classroom on the pretext of discussion and molested her. He thoughtfully changed the CCTV camera's direction to avoid being captured, as per the prosecution.

In his defence, the teacher claimed that the victim was in a relationship with two men and wanted advice from him on moving ahead with one of them. He argued that he turned away the camera on the woman's request, given the discussion's personal nature. The accused sought relief, pleading that his wife is seven months pregnant and that his custodial interrogation is not required as the camera has been seized.

Public prosecutor Pranjali Joshi contended that the offence had been committed by a teacher, who even tried to conceal the crime. If given anticipatory bail, he may intimidate the complainant, said Joshi.

Sessions judge Prakash A Sable observed, “The police found that the applicant turned CCTV camera so as to hide his act. It appears that the act was committed with a plan. Hence, the interrogation of the applicant appears to be justifiable.”