Delhi High Court Denies Bail to Seema Rani Khakha in POCSO Case

The Delhi High Court has denied bail to Seema Rani Khakha, accused of participating in the sexual assault and forced abortion of a minor. Concerns over witness tampering and erosion of family trust were cited as reasons for the decision.

The Delhi High Court on Friday denied bail to Seema Rani Khakha, the wife of a suspended Delhi Government officer, Premoday Khakha, accused of repeatedly raping and impregnating a minor. The court cited concerns about potential witness tampering and the erosion of trust between families as reasons for the decision.

Seema Rani Khakha is alleged to have actively participated in the crime, including administering medication to terminate the victim's pregnancy. Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma noted that the case 'strikes at the root of trust between two families' and stressed that the possibility of witness influence could not be ruled out.

In February, the Delhi High Court had initially denied bail to both Premoday Khakha and Seema Rani Khakha in a POCSO case, a decision later upheld by the trial court. They argued for bail, claiming entitlement to default bail due to an incomplete charge sheet by Delhi Police, which was filed in October 2023. The Khakhas have been in judicial custody since August 2023, accused of crimes including rape, molestation, and offenses under the POCSO Act.

(With inputs from agencies.)