HC finds rape case against Mumbai ACP weak, gives him bail

Observing that prima facie no case of rape had been made out against Assistant Commissioner of Police Anil Mahabole, the Bombay high court on Monday granted him interim bail. "Prima facie it is not a case of rape. After looking at the police report, this court does not believe the allegation of rape," Justice A M Thipsay said.

The police officer, accused of raping a middle-aged housewife, has approached the high court after the sessions court rejected his anticipatory bail application.

Noting that the victim woman seemed to be the consenting party, Justice Thipsay said, "It seems that they had an illicit relation."

Granting Mahabole interim bail on a surety of Rs 30,000, the court posted his application for final hearing to April 30, and directed him to appear before the investigating officer every day for questioning in the meantime.

Advocate Rohini Wagh, Mahabole's lawyer, contended it was the victim who used to approach the accused. "She used to send him over 25 messages every day, some of which were obscene. This is not the first time she has registered a case. Earlier she had registered molestation cases against another police officer and a jeweller," Wagh argued.

According to the police, the woman alleged that the ACP visited her house some eight months ago, and offered her some sweets. She passed out after eating them, and when she regained consciousness, the ACP showed her an MMS clip which showed her in a compromising position.

She further said that the ACP blackmailed her, threatening to circulate the MMS, and repeatedly raped her over the last eight months. She approached the higher police authorities on April 11, after which an enquiry was ordered.

According to the police, the enquiry established Mahabole's role in the crime, hence an FIR was registered against him.