This case is from 25th January, 2022, where a restaurant worker, who spent 17 months in jail after being accused of raping and impregnating his 19-year-old deaf and mute neighbour, was recently granted bail after the DNA evidence showed that he was not the father of the child.

The court said, “The accused had been arrested on August 1, 2019. The chargesheet has been filed. It will take time to decide the matter on merits. Looking into the copy of the DNA report produced on record, the prayer made by the applicant (accused) for release on bail needs to be allowed,” the sessions court said in a recent order.”

The pregnancy came to light after the deaf-mute woman, studying in class 7 complained to her teacher of stomach pain on July 23, 2019. The teacher called the woman’s father and informed him. The following day, the woman was taken to the doctor who suggested a sonography. Two days later, tests showed that she was six months pregnant. When the family enquired with the woman, she told them in sign language that about five to six months back when she was on her way to the public toilet, the accused forcibly took her to his house and sexually assaulted her and took her photographs. The family then approached the police and an FIR was registered.

The woman’s statement was recorded by the police with the help of a special teacher and he was arrested.

The prosecution opposed the bail plea alleging that the accused had taken advantage of the woman’s vulnerabilities. It further said that if the accused is granted bail, he could tamper with the evidence or threaten the woman and prosecution witnesses.

Granting him bail on a surety of Rs 30,000, the court directed the accused not to contact the woman or visit her. “The accused (is) to attend the matter on each and every date without fail. The applicant shall submit the proof of his residential address, phone number, Aadhaar card and election