Court grants anticipatory bail to rape accused NPP legislator

ShillIong: A lower court in Meghalaya has granted an anticipatory bail to rape-accused legislator of the ruling National People’s Party (NPP), Thomas Sangma.

Sangma, who is also the adviser to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma moved the Court of Additional District and Sessions Judge seeking an anticipatory bail after the State police had booked him under IPC section 376 for rape, 506 for criminal intimidation based on a FIR filed by a woman.

“The Court has granted an interim bail to Sangma with conditions that he should not abscond or leave the jurisdiction of the Court without prior permission and not hamper the investigation in the case,” Thomas’ legal counsel, Kaustav Paul said on Wednesday.

The rape accused legislator has also been directed to maintain his distance from the complainant and prosecution witness and not make any inducement or threat to the complainant and prosecution witness who are acquainted with the facts of the case.

Further, the Court also directed Sangma to cooperate with the police team who are investigating into the alleged rape case.

An FIR was filed by a woman with the East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police against Thomas for allegedly sexually assaulting her since January last year.

Earlier, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday said the law will take its own

course on the allegations of sexual assault case with regards to the alleged sexual offence case filed against his adviser Thomas.(UNI)