Mumbai(Maharashtra): Bombay High Court on Wednesday granted relief to suspended Maharashtra Deputy Inspector General of police Nishikant More, who was accused of molesting a 17-year-old girl. Justice P D Naik directed More to appear before Taloja Police in Navi Mumbai on January 29, 30 and 31 to cooperate with the probe in the case.
The court in its order noted that the accused and the family of the girl shared cordial relations, which later turned sour after the victim's father refused to return money that he allegedly borrowed from the accused.
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The court also stated that when the alleged molestation incident took place on June 5, 2019, during the victim's birthday celebration, her family was present.
'The manner and conduct of the victim in the video creates doubt on the alleged incident,' Justice Naik said in his statement. The bench has posted the matter for further hearing on February 17.
When Nishikant More approached HC last week after the Panvel sessions, the court rejected his anticipatory bail application. In his plea, the accused claimed all the allegations were "baseless", and the complaint against him was made because of the financial dispute between the two families.
However going by the Navi Mumbai Police, the girl was allegedly molested at her home in Taloja town of neighbouring Raigad district during her birthday celebration on June 5, 2019.
The victim's father claimed that while they had lodged a complaint on July 12, 2019, but the police refused to take cognisance of it. FIR was belatedly lodged on December 26, 2019.
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