Congress MP Rakesh Rathore was granted bail on Tuesday by a local court in Sitapur, clearing the way for his release from jail. The development followed a prolonged legal battle after fresh charges were added to his case, delaying his release despite an earlier bail order by the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court.
Rakesh Rathore had initially been granted bail on March 11 in connection with a rape case filed under Section 64 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). However, on the same day, Sitapur police submitted a charge sheet that included Section 69 of the BNS, which pertains to sexual intercourse by deceit and carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. This additional charge complicated the legal proceedings, preventing his immediate release and necessitating a fresh bail plea in the lower court.
On Tuesday, Chief Judicial Magistrate Gaurav Prakash granted bail to Rakesh Rathore in the newly added Section 69 case. His lawyer, Vijay Kumar Singh, confirmed that two bail bonds of Rs 1 lakh each were furnished on his behalf in court. With this ruling, the MP is set to be released from Sitapur district jail, where he had been lodged since his arrest on January 30.
The case against Rakesh Rathore involves allegations of rape brought forth by a 45-year-old woman. According to the police and prosecution, the woman accused him of sexually exploiting her under the pretext of marriage and making false promises to support her political career. These allegations led to his arrest while he was addressing a press conference at his residence, where he had been attempting to clarify his position regarding the case.
The legal battle surrounding Rakesh Rathore has attracted significant political and public attention. His supporters argue that the case is politically motivated, while his detractors emphasize the need for a thorough and fair judicial process. The MP’s release is expected to reignite discussions over the allegations and their political implications.
As the case progresses, legal experts suggest that the additional charges could still pose a challenge for Rakesh Rathore, and further legal scrutiny is likely. While securing bail is a relief for the Congress MP, the larger legal battle remains unresolved, and the next steps in the judicial process will be crucial in determining the final outcome.
