Samajwadi Party Spokesperson Manoj Yadav Granted Bail in Barabanki Rape and SC/ST Act Case
In a significant legal development, Samajwadi Party national spokesperson Manoj Yadav, aged 45, was granted bail on Saturday by a Barabanki court. The case involves serious allegations of rape and offences under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, registered at Safdarganj police station in the district.
Background of the Allegations
A woman had accused Manoj Yadav of harassment, assault, and rape, with the roots of the dispute tracing back to an old enmity from 2004. At that time, her husband had filed a case against Yadav. According to the complainant, about three months ago, Yadav intercepted her at Safdarganj crossing, where he allegedly hurled caste-based slurs and threatened her. She further claimed inappropriate physical contact, which escalated to the rape charge against him.
Court Proceedings and Bail Application
The bail order was issued by special judge (SC/ST Act) Nitish Kumar Rai, following an application filed by Manoj Yadav, who had been in judicial custody since February. Representing Yadav, advocate Sant Sharan Yadav argued that his client was falsely implicated due to political rivalry. The defense highlighted several inconsistencies in the First Information Report (FIR), including the absence of specific dates and times for the alleged incident, as well as a delay of several months in lodging the complaint.
Additionally, the defense contended that there were no independent witnesses to support the allegations and emphasized that the accused had no prior criminal history, noting his acquittal in a previous case. The court, in its observations, pointed out contradictions in the statements made by the complainant. It stated that key aspects of the allegations would be thoroughly tested during the trial, without commenting on the merits of the case at this stage.
Bail Conditions and Future Steps
Granting bail, the court imposed specific conditions on Manoj Yadav. He is required to furnish a personal bond along with two sureties of Rs 75,000 each. The conditions mandate his full cooperation in the ongoing investigation, non-interference with evidence, no intimidation of witnesses, and mandatory appearance before the court on all scheduled dates. This decision allows Yadav temporary freedom while the legal process continues, with the trial set to examine the evidence in detail.
The case has drawn attention due to its political implications and the serious nature of the charges, highlighting the complexities involved in legal battles intertwined with personal and political rivalries.
