Bombay HC Grants Bail to Stepfather Accused of Sexually Assaulting Minor Step-Daughters

The Bombay High Court allowed a bail application filed by Makrand Bapardekar who has been accused of sexually assaulting his step-daughters, one of whom is a minor, in an FIR registered with Andheri Police station following a complaint filed by his wife. Justice Sandeep K Shinde was hearing Bapardekar’s bail application in connection with FIR registered before the Andheri police station for the offences punishable under Sections 354, 354A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and Sections 8, 9(n) and 10 of the Protection of Children From Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO). In April 2019, complainant’s younger daughter from the first marriage narrated her ordeal of sexual abuse by her step-father (applicant), which, the complainant reported to Bhagwati Mahila Vikas Mandal in a complaint dated February 10, 2019. Besides, she had also lodged two complaints with Andheri Police Station under Sections 504 and 506 of the IPC against the applicant. Moreover, in May 2019, the complainant instituted proceedings against the applicant under the Domestic Violence Act.