**Bombay High Court Grants Bail to Convicted Tuition Teacher**
The Bombay High Court has granted bail to a 60-year-old tuition teacher who was previously convicted by a POCSO court for the sexual assault of a minor student. Justice Sarang V Kotwal raised concerns during the proceedings, suggesting that the victim may have been influenced in her testimony, as she admitted during cross-examination that her mother, a police constable, had advised her on how to answer questions in court.
The incident in question allegedly occurred on March 15, 2017, when the victim, then a fourth-grade student, was attending tuition classes with her older sibling. A complaint was filed by the girl’s mother on March 19, 2017. The victim claimed that the teacher had called her into his room, asked her to read a book, and then inappropriately touched her. In a state of fear, she fled to an adjacent room where the teacher’s wife was conducting another class.
However, the court found the victim’s account of attending tuition the day after the alleged assault, despite informing her mother, to be questionable.
**Teacher Claims False Accusation**
During the hearing, the teacher’s attorney, Satyavrat Joshi, contended that his client had been falsely accused due to a personal vendetta from the victim, who had been reprimanded for not attending classes. Joshi emphasized that the presence of the teacher’s wife during the alleged incident made it unlikely that any wrongdoing could have occurred. He further alleged that the victim had been coached by her mother.
The teacher was convicted under Section 10 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, as well as Sections 354 and 354A of the Indian Penal Code, and was sentenced to five years of rigorous imprisonment. He was taken into custody on January 9, 2025, having previously spent a brief period in jail in 2017.
The prosecution and the victim’s lawyer opposed the bail, arguing that a 10-year-old girl would not fabricate such serious allegations against her teacher, especially given that the incident was said to have occurred in a separate room.
**Court’s Rationale for Granting Bail**
Despite the opposition, the court noted inconsistencies in the victim’s statements and her evasive responses, suggesting that the alleged incident might not have occurred as claimed. The court remarked, “Her attending the tuition class on March 16 after informing her mother seems rather difficult to believe. All these evasive answers support the submission of advocate Satyavrat Joshi that the incident may not be true. These questions will need to be resolved during the final hearing stage of the appeal.”
Taking into account the teacher’s age, lack of prior offenses, and the potential delay in the appeal process, the court granted bail on a bond of Rs 25,000.
**Conclusion**
This case highlights the complexities involved in allegations of sexual assault, particularly when they involve minors. The court’s decision to grant bail underscores the importance of thorough examination of evidence and witness credibility in such sensitive matters.
**FAQ**
**Q: What was the basis for the Bombay High Court granting bail to the teacher?**
A: The court found inconsistencies in the victim’s testimony and suggested that she may have been influenced by her mother, leading to doubts about the validity of the allegations.
