Plea moved for impounding passport of IIT Guwahati student accused of rape

Despite agreeing that there is a prima facie case of rape, Justice Ajit Borthakur of the high court on August 13 granted the accused bail. The judge said both the accused and the accuser are “future assets” and “talented students” while granting the bail

Published on: Aug 26, 2021, 17:56:23 IST

By Utpal Parashar

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati student, who was allegedly raped by a fellow student in March this year, has sought the impounding of the passport of the accused after he was granted bail by the Gauhati high court this month. The woman filed an application in this regard on Wednesday in the additional district and sessions court in Kamrup Rural district, which is hearing the case. The court accepted the application and will take up the matter on September 1 when the hearing for framing of charges will take place.

Despite agreeing that there is a prima facie case of rape, Justice Ajit Borthakur of the high court on August 13 granted the accused bail. The judge said both the accused and the accuser are “future assets” and “talented students” while granting the bail. He added there was no possibility of the accused tampering with the evidence. Borthakur directed the accused against leaving the jurisdiction of the lower court without its prior written permission.

Also Read | Karnataka home minister on Mysuru gangrape: ‘They should not have gone there’

In her application in the trial court, the woman said if the accused seeks permission to leave the jurisdiction, she may also be heard. And if the court grants the accused permission, his passport should be impounded.

“There is every likelihood of the accused thwarting justice by fleeing the borders of this country,” said the application, which HT has seen. It added that if the accused is granted permission, he might jump bail and leave India as both his parents are financially sound.

As per the charge sheet in the case, the accused allegedly raped the woman on March 28 after she lost her consciousness after she was forcibly given alcohol.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.