Supreme Court grants interim protection from arrest to Youth Congress chief in sexual harassment case
New Delhi (IANS) | The Supreme Court has upheld Indian Youth Congress National President B.V. Srinivas was given interim relief from arrest on Wednesday. Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice Sanjay Karol issued notice to the Assam government as well as the complainant on a petition filed by Srinivas against the Gauhati High Court order which refused to grant him any relief.
The bench asked the petitioner to cooperate with the police investigation and probe initiated by the National Commission for Women into the complaint and posted the matter for further hearing on July 10.
The bench noted that the alleged incident took place in Raipur during February 24-26 and the complaint was filed in April in Assam.
The bench observed that in the tweets and interviews given to the media prior to the registration of the FIR, the complainant did not say anything about the allegation of sexual harassment against the petitioner.
The bench said that since there was a delay in registering the FIR, Srinivas was entitled to interim protection.
Considering the delay of about two months in registering the FIR, the petitioner would be entitled to interim protection, the apex court said.
It further said, we direct that in the event of arrest, the petitioner shall be released on anticipatory bail on a solvent surety of Rs 50,000.
Senior advocate AM Singhvi represented Srinivas, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju appeared for Assam and advocate Shailesh Madyal appeared for the complainant.
–IANS
