Maharashtra Police officer gets bail in rape case

Mumbai, April 23 (IANS) Anil Mahabole, a Maharashtra Police officer accused of rape, Monday secured interim bail from the Bombay High Court, which observed that prima facie, a case of rape was not made out against him, his lawyer said.

The court did not believe the rape allegation against Mahabole, Justice A.M. Thipsay observed after examining the police report, lawyer Rohini Wagh said.

"Accordingly, the court has granted him interim bail with a surety of Rs.30,000 and posted the matter for final hearing April 30. In the meantime, he (Mahabole) has been ordered to report to the investigation office daily for questioning in the case," Wagh told IANS.

An assistant commissioner of police posted in the Riot Control Police, Mahabole was accused of alleged rape by a middle-aged housewife sometime ago.

She alleged that Mahabole blackmailed her on the basis of an MMS clip showing her in a compromising position, threatened her and repeatedly raped her for the last eight months.

The woman April 11 approached top police authorities who ordered an inquiry which registered a first information report after Mahabole's role in the crime was established.

According to the victim, Mahabole came to her house and offered her some sweets. She claimed that she passed out after eating the sweets and when she regained consciousness, he showed her the MMS clip.

The court opined that the victim appeared to be "a consenting party" and it appeared more to be an illicit relationship, Wagh said.

Wagh also refuted reports of Mahabole's suspension, saying so far no such orders have been served on him.

"We have been hearing it on television channels, but there are no orders suspending him," she said.

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