PANAJI
The Additional Sessions Court-II, Mapusa, has granted interim protection from arrest to a Junior Scale Officer currently serving as Deputy Commissioner of State Tax. He is accused of committing a sexual offence on the false promise of marriage, as stated in a complaint lodged by a woman at the Women Police Station.
The Court ordered that the officer should not be arrested until his anticipatory bail plea is decided. It also imposed conditions such as reporting before the investigating officer and furnishing a personal bond.
During the hearing, the officer argued that if detained for more than 48 hours, he would face suspension from service, causing serious harm to his career and reputation. His lawyer told the Court that he had recently been issued a posting order to join as Chief Officer of the Ponda Municipal Council, and therefore needed protection to take charge.
The prosecution opposed the interim relief, saying the alleged offence is serious and carries a punishment of up to 10 years’ imprisonment. It was also informed that the complainant’s mother filed a separate complaint the same day against the officer’s family members, alleging assault, criminal intimidation and house trespass under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
After hearing both sides, the Court observed that the officer has no criminal record and that denying him interim protection could cause serious career consequences before his bail plea is decided.
“The applicant is a government officer with no criminal background. He is willing to cooperate with the police during investigation. If he is arrested before his bail plea is heard, he could lose his job and suffer a severe blow to his career and reputation. The victim will be heard when the bail plea is decided on merits,” the order by Judge Apurva Nagvenkar stated.
The Court granted interim protection with conditions, including reporting to the investigating officer for four days between 2 pm and 5 pm, not contacting or influencing the complainant or witnesses directly or indirectly, including through social media, and cooperating for the early disposal of his bail plea.
