SC Grants Anticipatory Bail To Youth Congress President B V Srinivas In Harassment Case

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• Oct 20, 2023 | Dhupali Das

The Supreme Court of India has granted anticipatory bail to Indian Youth Congress president B V Srinivas in an alleged...

Digital Desk: The Supreme Court of India has granted anticipatory bail to Indian Youth Congress president B V Srinivas in an alleged harassment case. This decision comes after a bench of Justices BR Gavai, Aravind Kumar, and P K Mishra reviewed the case, noting Srinivas's cooperation with the ongoing investigation. The court's decision overturns the earlier rejection of anticipatory bail by the Gauhati High Court and provides temporary relief to the Congress leader.

In its May 17 order, the Supreme Court granted interim protection from arrest to B V Srinivas in the matter. The court noted that the Assam government opposed the grant of anticipatory bail but, after considering the petitioner's cooperation with the investigation, decided to allow the application, making the earlier order dated May 17 absolute.

The case against Srinivas had been initiated by Angkita Dutta, the expelled chief of Assam Youth Congress, who accused him of causing mental agony. The Gauhati High Court had initially rejected Srinivas's anticipatory bail plea, leading to his appeal to the Supreme Court. The top court sent a notice to the Assam government in May, seeking its response to the plea by July 10.

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The Supreme Court bench also reviewed the statement of the complainant recorded under section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which had been provided by the prosecution. However, the court refrained from commenting on the statement, as it did not wish to impact the rights of the parties involved in the trial.

The bench highlighted that there was a significant delay of almost two months in lodging the FIR, suggesting that the petitioner was entitled to interim protection. In the event of arrest, Srinivas was granted anticipatory bail upon furnishing a solvent surety in the sum of Rs 50,000 with one or more sureties in the same amount.

Srinivas was also directed to cooperate in the inquiry conducted by the National Commission for Women. His counsel argued that most charges against the IYC president, with the exception of those under Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code, were bailable in nature. Section 354 of the IPC pertains to the assault or use of criminal force on a woman with the intent to outrage her modesty.

The alleged offense occurred in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, which was beyond the territorial jurisdiction of the Dispur police station where the case was initially filed. Srinivas's counsel had contended that the FIR filed by Angkita Dutta, alleging mental harassment and physical manhandling, should be quashed immediately.

Angkita Dutta, the complainant in the case, stated that Srinivas had been persistently harassing and torturing her for six months, using sexist comments, slang words, and threats of dire consequences if she reported him to senior party officials. She further claimed that Srinivas had harassed and abused her during the party's recent plenary session in Raipur and threatened to ruin her political career if she continued to complain against him.

The Supreme Court's decision to grant anticipatory bail to B V Srinivas marks a significant development in this high-profile case. While the legal proceedings will continue, this decision provides temporary relief to the Indian Youth Congress president and allows him to cooperate with the ongoing investigation without the fear of immediate arrest.