Mumbai court grants temporary bail to teen accused in rape case for NEET exam

A special POCSO court in Mumbai approved a four‑day temporary bail for an 18‑year‑old man charged with rape, allowing him to sit for the NEET re‑examination on June 21. The bail, from June 18 to June 21, was granted on a bond of ₹50,000 with an equal surety, subject to conditions that he not contact the victim or tamper with evidence and must surrender to prison authorities by 2 p.m. on June 22. The court relied on the accused’s higher‑secondary certificate and provisional NEET admit card as valid grounds, while the prosecution argued the seriousness of the allegations and suggested police escort for the exam. The judge noted “perspicuous valid grounds” for release and imposed safeguards, emphasizing the balance between the rights of the accused and protection of the complainant.