Student accused of molestation gets bail

Mumbai: A sessions court in Dindoshi granted bail to a 21-year-old mass media student who was arrested for molesting an air hostess. The bail was granted taking into consideration his age and mental health. Medical reports of the accused were produced before the court to show that he underwent psychiatric treatment after the incident.

The incident happened at the Mumbai International Airport on March 16, this year on an Udaipur-bound Air India flight.

The Sahar police had booked Lakshyaraj Sisodiya on complaint of the air hostess and summoned the accused, who later surrendered before the police.

Sisodiya’s lawyer contended before the court that he had come to Mumbai for an internship but fell ill and his friends booked his flight ticket for his hometown, Udaipur. According to the lawyer, it was his first flight and hence he was depressed, frightened and panic-stricken due to which he ran towards gallery to take help of the crew members, which was assumed by the people as molestation of the airhostess.

The prosecution had opposed the bail plea saying if Sisodiya were released on bail, he may commit similar offences or he may pressurise the informant and the prosecution witnesses.

He is not a permanent resident of Mumbai so he may not be available to face the trial.

Sessions judge A.D. Deo observed that the applicant is a student and his exams were about to start.

He surrendered before the Sahar police in May and had been behind bars since then.

Till now there have been no instances that the applicant ever tried to threaten the complainant or witnesses. Considering his age and mental health, the judge granted him bail on personal bond of Rs 25,000.