A sessions court in Mumbai on Monday granted anticipatory bail to a 61-year-old professor who was facing charges of alleged sexual harassment. The case stems from an incident during a college annual festival where he was a guest speaker last month.
Court's Decision and Plea Details
The professor, who is based in Vidarbha, had approached the court earlier in December seeking pre-arrest bail, vehemently denying the accusations. The court reserved its order after hearing arguments from both the professor's lawyer, Irfan Ansari, and the police, who opposed the bail. The detailed written order explaining the court's reasoning is expected to be made public later this week.
In his plea, the professor argued that the complaint could be a result of misunderstanding or a personal grudge. He stated that his custodial interrogation was unnecessary and that he would fully cooperate with the investigation. The professor also highlighted his clean record, mentioning he has been invited to speak at thousands of national and international institutions without any prior complaints.
Allegations and Police Stance
The First Information Report (FIR) was registered on November 30 based on a complaint filed by a female faculty member of the city college. The complaint alleged that nine students reported being harassed by the guest professor during the festival event held on November 26.
The police claimed that the accused took selfies with the students and inappropriately touched them. They strongly opposed the bail plea, insisting that his custodial interrogation was essential to probe the serious allegations thoroughly. The police emphasized that the identical nature of complaints from nine women underscored the gravity of the case.
Professor's Defense and Medical Grounds
The professor's bail application presented several points in his defense. It revealed that he is a permanent central government employee and pledged his availability for the probe. The plea also cited his medical condition, stating he was suffering from "serious depression" and other health issues.
A notable point in the plea mentioned that the investigating officer visited him at the hospital where he was admitted, waking him up to serve a notice. This incident, the plea argued, fueled his apprehension of potential illegal action or arrest by the police, forming a basis for seeking pre-arrest protection from the court.
With the grant of anticipatory bail, the professor is now protected from arrest in connection with this case, provided he complies with the conditions set by the sessions court. The investigation by the Mumbai police continues.
