Actor Rohit Chandel gets bail in POCSO case, court notes serious offence

A Mumbai Sessions Court granted actor Rohit Chandel bail in a POCSO case after a minor accused him of stalking, harassment and assault. The court called the offence serious, rejected provisional cash bail and imposed strict conditions on his release.

In Short

• Actor Rohit Chandel was granted bail in POCSO case by Mumbai Sessions Court
• The court imposed Rs 50,000 PR bond and surety for his release
• Chandel has been barred from contacting victim or her family in any manner

Actor Rohit Chandel, known for his roles in shows such as Pandya Store and Sairaab, was granted bail by a Mumbai Sessions Court on Thursday in a POCSO case after a 16-year-old girl accused him of stalking, harassment and assault. While allowing his release, the court also noted that the offence was of a serious nature and rejected his plea for provisional cash bail.

Special Judge Shashikala S Nagur granted bail to Chandel after his counsel, advocate Saveen Bedi Sachar, submitted that the chargesheet had been filed and that the investigation against the accused was complete. The detailed order is yet to be made available, but the court has imposed several conditions for the actor's release.

The court said Chandel would be released on a P.R. bond of Rs 50,000 and a surety of a like amount. It directed that he shall not tamper with or threaten the victim and prosecution witnesses. He has also been barred from contacting the victim and her family in any manner, including through social media platforms and phone calls.

The court further said he shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case in order to dissuade them from disclosing such facts to the court. It also directed that he should not enter the jurisdiction of the victim's residence, should stay away from her residence and should not contact her at any place. He should not commit an offence of the same nature or any other offence.

The actor has also been directed to remain present during the trial on every date. The court said that if he failed to comply with any of these conditions, his bail would stand cancelled.

Bedi sought that the actor be given a chance to come out at the earliest and filed an application for cash bail in lieu of surety. However, the court observed that the "nature of offense is very serious. Hence he has to furnish surety. He cannot be released on provisional cash bail. Hence, the application is rejected."

The rejection of the cash bail plea means it may take longer for Chandel to complete the formalities before he walks out of prison. He has, however, been granted bail subject to the conditions laid down by the court.

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