Date:19/02/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/02/19/stories/2003021904431300.htm

National

Two policemen get bail in Padmini rape case

By Our Legal Correspondent

NEW DELHI FEB. 18. The Supreme Court has ordered the release on bail of two policemen sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment in the `Padmini rape case' and lodged in the Central Jail, Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu.

A Bench, comprising Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justice P. Venkatarama Reddi, granted bail on their furnishing a bond for Rs. 25,000 each, with two sureties for a like sum, to the satisfaction of the Sessions Judge, Cuddalore.

The case of the prosecution was that the accused, A. Ibrahim Sheriff, Sub-Inspector at the Chidambaram police station and B. Jayaraman, House officer, Annamalai Nagar police station, along with others, wrongly confined Nandagopal, husband of Padmini, at the Annamalai Nagar police station where Padmini was gang-raped on June 3, 1992.

The trial court had awarded 10 years rigorous imprisonment to the policemen found guilty of rape. The verdict was confirmed by the Madras High Court which, by its judgment of November 2002, also confirmed the sentence of three years imprisonment imposed on Ibrahim Sheriff and Jayaraman on the charge of public servants framing incorrect record or writing with the intent to save persons from punishment.

The special leave petition filed by Sheriff was directed against the High Court judgment, praying that the conviction be set aside and that he be granted bail in the meanwhile.

The Bench ordered the release of the two on bail after hearing counsel, K.K. Mani, who argued that the case was false and concocted.