“Although affidavits sworn by the mother and brother of the victim filed by the accused stated about innocence of the accused, at the present stage, considering the situation/relationship between them and the accused, further investigation is required,” the court stated.  The dilemma of the victim in such a situation is also taken into account, it mentioned.

During the hearing, the counsel of the accused prayed for releasing the accused on bail by stating that the accused was innocent and had been falsely implicated in the case.

It was also submitted that the victim has a story of telling lies implicating relatives and for proper treatment and correction of the victim, the accused who is her stepfather kept her at his house and took care of her in all respect. It is for her such character that the case has been registered, the counsel stated.

However, special public prosecutor submitted that the victim gave a statement before the investigating officer, implicating the accused and provided all materials to show the acts of the accused. It was also submitted that the mobile phone used by the accused has also been seized and ready to be sent to the experts. It was also submitted that an application for recording the statement of the victim u/s 164 CrPC has also been filed and waiting for the same.

The court, after hearing the submission from counsel and special public prosecutor, sent the accused into judicial custody and turned down the bail prayer. It may be mentioned that the victim ran away from her stepfather’s house, and she was picked up by a team of Imphal Police Station and handed over to Childline, Imphal East. The victim is now under Protective Custody.