MUMBAI: Bombay High Court recently released on bail a woman who, in Sept 2020, allegedly singed her 7-year-old niece because she had spent Rs 10 to buy chocolate.
Justice Shivkumar Dige said on Feb 25: “The applicant is behind bars for more than 4 years… yet there is no progress in the trial. She is in jail with her 7-year-old daughter. Considering the incarceration period of the applicant, her further detention is not required.”
The Oct 3, 2020, FIR was registered by a suburban police station on a complaint by the girl’s other paternal aunt, who was informed by a neighbour that she was unable to walk. The aunt had looked after the girl after her mother passed away when she was 3 years old. Her father worked abroad.
On Sept 27, 2020, the aunt gave her Rs 50 to buy chicken for Rs 40 and liver for Rs 10. She was angry when her niece said she spent Rs 10 to buy chocolate. The next day, the aunt tied the girl’s hands and legs, stuffed a kerchief in her mouth, and with a hot spoon, singed her several times on the thighs and private part.
She was booked for murder attempt under IPS for penetrative sexual assault on a child which physically incapacitates a child under Pocso and cruelty under Juvenile Justice Act. In Dec 2020, a chargesheet was filed.
The woman’s advocate, Shriganesh Sawalkar, urged her release on bail as the trial has not begun. He said she is innocent. She has four minor children, including a daughter who has been with her in prison.
Prosecutor Poonam Bhosale said cruelty to the child was proved through medical evidence. If released, “she may threaten the victim and the prosecution witnesses”.
In the order, Justice Dige noted allegations that the woman inflicted burn injuries “as the victim spent Rs 10 for buying chocolate which was supposed to be used for buying food articles”.
Given her imprisonment period, the court directed that she be released on bail on executing a Rs 30,000 personal bond with conditions that she not ‘attempt to influence or contact any person concerned with the case.”
