Civic Chandran | Photo: Mathrubhumi
Kochi: The High Court upheld the anticipatory bail granted to writer Civic Chandran in the sexual assault case. However, the High Court removed the Kozhikode Sessions court's 'sexually provocative dress' remark from the bail order.
Justice Kauser Edappagath issued the verdict after hearing pleas filed by the state government and the complainant woman against the anticipatory bail granted to Civic Chandran. The High Court observed that the reason given by the lower court for granting anticipatory bail cannot be justifiable. At the same time, the High Court refused to cancel the anticipatory bail granted to the writer.
Earlier, the verdict of Kozhikode Sessions Court on granting anticipatory bail plea to Civic Chandran became controversial after the bail order said: “The offence under Section 354A of the IPC will not prima facie stand when the woman was wearing a sexually provocative dress."
High Court on Thursday observed that the victim's attire could not be construed as a legal ground to acquit the accused from the charges of insulting the modesty of a woman.
The DGP has informed the HC that the investigation into the case is almost over. Therefore there is no need for custodial interrogation, considering the age of the accused and the circumstances of the case, the court observed.
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