 Early Times Report
Jammu, Sept 27: The Court of Additional Sessions Judge Udhampur, Kamlesh Pandit, has rejected the bail plea of Fareed Ahmed, son of Mohammad Rafiq, resident of Badali, Udhampur, who was arrested in FIR No. 323/2025 registered at Police Post Roundomail for rape, sexual exploitation, voyeurism, and related offences under Sections 64, 74, 351, and 77 BNS.
The victim lodged a complaint that she was raped by the accused on September 4, 2025, and had been subjected to continuous exploitation under threats. Her statement recorded before the Judicial Magistrate corroborated the complaint. Police also revealed that the accused was earlier convicted in another case (FIR No. 503/2024) under Sections 115(2) and 126(2) BNS.
The accused’s counsel argued that he had been falsely implicated due to neighborhood enmity and claimed the relationship between the accused and the victim was consensual. However, the APP for the UT vehemently opposed bail, asserting that the offence was heinous and punishable with not less than ten years imprisonment.
The court held that acquaintance or alleged consensual ties cannot justify exploitation and that rape is “a crime which destroys the basic equilibrium of society and lowers the dignity of women.” Considering the gravity of the charges and the accused’s antecedents, the court dismissed the bail application. (JNF) |
