Session Judge, Imphal West on Friday granted pre-arrest bail to man who has been alleged of sexually assaulting a woman on promises of marriage.

The accused Wakambam Geetchandra Meitei, 31, son of W Ibomcha of Takyel Khongbal Mayai Leikai, Imphal West filed a pre-arrest bail plea in connection with the FIR of sexual assault registered against him.

The counsel of the accused submitted before the court that he is the son of an intending candidate W Ibomcha of Patsoi assembly constituency. It was submitted that the accused believes that he was arrested on false charges and detained in police custody in order to defame the image of his father for gaining political mileage in the upcoming assembly election by falsely implicating him.

W Geetchandra was charged for sexual assault without consent of the victim and the victim was conceived. They eloped but neither formal marriage nor ‘Keina Katpa’ ceremony was performed between them despite the promise to marry her.

After finding out that the victim had become pregnant, the accused allegedly started ill-treating and physically assaulting her. Unable to bear the situation, the victim ran out from the house of the accused and stayed at a One-Stop Centre, as per the charges.

The court, after hearing the submission, observed that the facts of fraudulent promise to marry are lacking and it should be established during the trial. The custodial interrogation is not required as any incriminating documents or articles are to be seized from the accused, the court stated.

Further observing that whether the promise to marry was genuine or not is to be proved during the trial, the court granted bail to the accused.