POCSO court grants bail to businessman arrested for molesting teen actor

Sachdeva’s lawyer contended that the allegations were not realistic, owing to the distance between the seats in business class.

A special POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) court, on Wednesday, granted bail to businessman Vikas Sachdeva, arrested for allegedly molesting a 17-year-old national award-winning actor in a flight. The bail has been granted on a surety of Rs25,000.

Vikas Sachdeva escorted by police to the Dindoshi Court in Mumbai, India, on December 11, 2017 (HT Photo)

Sachdeva, a resident of Chandivli, was arrested on December 10 by the Sahar police after the actor alleged that he had molested her on a flight. According to the complainant, she was travelling from Delhi to Mumbai on December 9 when the incident occurred. She claimed that he put his leg on her armrest and rubbed his foot against her shoulder and neck repeatedly.

After the plane landed, she posted a video on social media describing her ordeal. After the post went viral, the Sahar police approached the girl at a private hotel. An FIR was registered against him under section 354 of the IPC (Indian Penal Code) and section 8 of the POCSO Act on Sunday.

Sachdeva’s lawyer contended that the allegations were not realistic, owing to the distance between the seats in business class. The prosecutor opposed Sachdev’s bail plea on the grounds that he may threaten the witness.