Delhi HC denies bail to wife of suspended government official in sexual assault case of minor girl

New Delhi [India]September 6 (ANI): The Delhi High Court on Friday denied bail to Seema Rani Khakha, wife of suspended Delhi government official Premoday Khakha, on charges of repeatedly raping and impregnating a minor girl.

The court stressed that there were concerns about possible witness influencing and damage to trust between families.

Seema Rani Khakha is accused of having played an active role in the crime, including administering abortion drugs to the victim.

Judge Dinesh Kumar Sharma rejected Seema Rani Khakha's bail application on the grounds that the case “strikes at the root of trust between two families” and stressed that the possibility of witness tampering could not be ruled out at this stage.

Earlier this year, in February, the Delhi High Court had denied bail to Premoday Khakha and his wife Seema Rani Khakha in a POCSO case; the court upheld this decision.

The Khakhas had sought bail on the grounds that the Delhi Police had not yet filed a complete chargesheet, which they believed entitled them to bail.

After hearing arguments from both the defence and the prosecution, Judge Jyoti Singh rejected the bail applications.

The Delhi Police subsequently filed the chargesheet on October 11, 2023 and the Tis Hazari Court took cognizance of it on November 9, 2023.

The Khakhas have been in custody since their arrest in August 2023.

Premoday Khakha, former deputy director of the Women and Child Development Department of the Delhi Municipality, is accused of sexually abusing and impregnating a minor girl.

His wife, Seema Rani Khakha, is said to have threatened the victim and facilitated an abortion.

The case involves charges such as rape, sexual harassment, criminal intimidation and violations of the POCSO Act. (ANI)