Assam-based Padma Awardee booked for allegedly raping Foster Child, HC grants interim bail

GUWAHATI: Padma awardee from Assam has been booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for allegedly raping a minor while she was under his foster care.

Assam Police registered an FIR against the man the very next day, invoking sections of the Indian Penal Code and the POCSO Act.

As soon as the FIR was registered the accused moved to the Gauhati High Court, seeking pre-arrest bail. However, on December 28, he was granted interim bail, and the court called for the case diary on January 7.

The survivor is in a children’s home, under special police protection. According to the FIR, the victim was placed under the foster care of the accused for a period of one year (in August 2020) with the condition that it would have to be renewed.

As per the FIR, the accused did not renew the child’s foster care deed nor did he place the child before the CWC when the year was up despite multiple reminders from the CWC.