Overview
- A special POCSO court in Mumbai granted the 18‑year‑old four days of temporary bail so he can prepare for and appear in the national medical entrance retest.
- The release is conditional on a Rs 50,000 bond with a similar surety, a promise to produce proof of exam attendance, and an order to surrender to authorities by 2 pm the day after the retest.
- The judge barred the accused from contacting the victim, ordered measures to prevent evidence tampering, and required an undertaking that he will not threat or defame the victim or her family.
- The prosecution opposed broad temporary release and had proposed a single‑day, police‑escorted appearance, while the defence argued several days were needed for mental preparation; the main regular bail petition remains pending.
- The retest was scheduled after a recent paper leak and the court’s decision highlights the tension courts face between allowing detained defendants to pursue education and protecting victims and investigations.