French trustee of school loses relief in sex abuse case

A French national, who is a trustee of an international school in the suburbs, lost the relief from arrest granted to him by a lower court in a case of alleged child sex abuse after the Bombay High Court struck off his bail on Monday.

The HC termed the bail to the trustee, who is accused of sexually assaulting a 3-year-old girl, "perverse" and directed that the trial is completed in four months as the young survivor may not remember the exact incident if the case drags on.

The 57-year-old accused was booked under the stringent Protection of Children Against Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act after the minor's parents approached the MIDC police in May 2017. He was arrested in November and was granted bail by the Sessions court the same month on the grounds that there was no "incriminating" evidence against him.

Justice Revati Mohite-Dere held that the foreigner didn't deserve bail as he is in an influential position and might tamper the evidence. "Based on the statements of the girl, her mother and other witnesses and that the minor has identified the photograph of the trustee, prima facie, there is sufficient evidence pointing towards complicity of the accused."

"Quashed and set aside," said Justice Mohite-Dere of the bail given to the trustee, who will have to immediately surrender before the POCSO court.

When the defendant's lawyer opposed the allegations against the trustee, the court responded, "No parent would put a 3-year-old through this torture. The victim has given a strong statement before several authorities. It is essential to expedite the matter as the child will not remember the exact incident when she grows up."

The judge also directed the state government to provide medical and mental health counsellors to the minor as well as legal assistance. In her complaint, the child's mother had alleged that the trustee violated her daughter in his cabin. The mother said she learnt about the sexual assault after she probed into her changed behaviour.

Trial in 4 months

The Bombay High Court directed the lower court to complete the trial in four months so that the “child will not remember the exact incident when she grows up”.