Powai rape case: Absconding Mumbai cop directed to appear in court

A local court today refused to hear the anticipatory bail plea of an absconding senior police inspector accused of raping a minor in suburban Mumbai and directed him to appear before it this afternoon.

Arun Borude had approached the sessions court yesterday through his lawyer for anticipatory bail, alleging that he has been falsely implicated in the case.

The police today insisted that Borude, who has been absconding since the registration of the case last week, should appear in court.

Principal sessions judge ML Tahalayani said that he would not hear Borude's application as he is not present in the court.

Nearly 150 policemen had been deployed around the court premises today.

The inspector's lawyer Vaibhav Bhagade, however, told the court that his client, who is in Mumbai, will appear before it only if he is given interim relief.

"Even this morning from 0730 hours to 1030 hours, Borude tried to come to court but could not as he apprehended that he would be arrested even before his bail plea is heard," Bhagade told the court.

Directing the inspector to appear before the court by 1430 hours today, the judge said that he would not be arrested till the time his plea is decided.

A 15-year-old girl had registered a case alleging that she was raped on several occasions by four to five men in a flat at suburban Powai.