JAMMU: Justice Alok Aradhe of Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Thursday granted pre-arrest bail to Major Anoop in the Major Anita Kumari Suicide Case.
After hearing Advocate Aseem Sawhney, appearing for the petitioner, the Court observed that both the petitioner and the deceased have been well educated and the deceased was serving as an officer in the Army. From the perusal of the material available on record, it transpired that the deceased was in live-in relationship with the petitioner for the past about five years.
The Court further observed that in view of the law laid down in Askhay Manoj Jaisinghani prima facie offence under Section 376 RPC is not made out in the case.
It was further observed that though the petitioner has been named in the suicide note, yet the fact remains that prima facie there is no material on record to suggest any act of abetment on the part petitioner for commission of suicide by the deceased.
With these observations, the Court granted anticipatory bail to the petitioner subject to the condition that he shall make himself available for investigation as and when required.
The Court further ordered that he shall furnish personal bond of Rs. 50,000 with one surety of like amount to the satisfaction of Investigating Officer and he shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement either to intimidate or try to influence the investigation in any manner. The petitioner shall not leave the State without permission of the Investigation officer except in connection with the official duty, the Court added.
Pertinent to mention that Major Anita Kumari committed suicide on 15th December, 2016 by shooting self with her pistol.