The Patna High Court has taken an unconventional approach in a recent case involving allegations of assault and outraging a woman's modesty. Justice Rajiv Roy granted anticipatory bail to the accused, but with some very specific conditions attached.
Unusual Bail Conditions Imposed
Instead of traditional bail requirements, the court ordered the accused to perform community service. He must visit Oriental College in Patna City and clean library books for two hours daily from January 19 to January 24, 2026. On the final day, he must also plant a sapling within the college premises.
Court's Reasoning Behind the Decision
Justice Roy considered several factors while granting this pre-arrest bail. The court noted the accused is a "young boy" with no previous criminal record. The judge also took into account the accused's undertaking to cooperate fully with the investigation and attend all trial proceedings diligently.
The accused must obtain a certificate from the college principal confirming his presence during the specified week. He needs to submit a supplementary affidavit with this certificate to the court.
Additional Bail Requirements
Beyond the unique community service conditions, the court set several standard bail terms. The accused must furnish a bail bond of Rs 10,000 with two sureties within four weeks. He must appear before the trial court on every scheduled date without fail.
Failure to appear for two consecutive dates without valid reasons will result in bail cancellation. The court also warned the accused against influencing witnesses or tampering with evidence, stating such actions would lead to immediate curtailment of his liberty.
Arguments Presented in Court
Defense advocate Rajeev Kumar Ambastha argued that the incident might have involved inadvertent touching that was misinterpreted. He emphasized his client's clean criminal record, clarifying that earlier reports of seven criminal antecedents actually referred to another person with a similar name.
The accused himself proposed the community service idea during proceedings. He suggested visiting a Patna City college library, cleaning books for two hours daily for a week, and planting a sapling on campus.
However, assistant public prosecutor Narsingh Tanti strongly opposed the bail plea. The prosecution argued the accused attempted to outrage a woman's modesty and, when she protested, assaulted her family members along with other co-accused individuals.
Background of the Case
The incident occurred while the woman was purchasing vegetables. According to prosecution claims, when she objected to the accused's behavior and called family members, the situation escalated into assault. The prosecution further alleged the accused was intoxicated and riding a motorcycle when the incident took place.
The case has been scheduled for further hearing on February 6. This unusual bail decision highlights how courts sometimes employ creative approaches to justice, balancing legal requirements with rehabilitative measures.
