Actor Rohit Chandel, who has appeared in shows including Pandya Store and Sairaab, was granted bail by a Mumbai Sessions Court on Thursday in a POCSO case involving allegations of stalking, harassment and assault made by a 16-year-old girl. While granting him bail, the court observed that the allegations involved a serious offence and declined his request for provisional cash bail.
Special Judge Shashikala S Nagur granted Chandel bail after his lawyer, advocate Saveen Bedi Sachar, argued that the chargesheet had already been filed and the investigation against the actor was complete. Although the detailed order has not yet been released, the court has imposed multiple conditions that Chandel must follow for his release.
The court ordered Chandel to furnish a P.R. bond of Rs 50,000 along with a surety for the same amount. He has been instructed not to threaten or influence the victim or any prosecution witnesses. He has also been prohibited from contacting the girl or her family through any means, including phone calls and social media.
Chandel has further been directed not to directly or indirectly offer any inducement, threat or promise to anyone familiar with the case in an attempt to prevent them from revealing information to the court. He has also been barred from entering the area where the victim lives and must stay away from her residence. The actor cannot contact her at any location and has been directed not to commit a similar or any other offence.
The court has also ordered him to remain present on every date of the trial. It warned that any violation of the bail conditions would result in the cancellation of his bail.
Bedi had requested that Chandel be released at the earliest and had filed an application seeking cash bail instead of a surety. However, the court rejected the request, observing that the “nature of offense is very serious” and therefore Chandel must furnish a surety. The court said he could not be released on provisional cash bail.
The dismissal of the cash bail application could mean that Chandel will need additional time to complete the required formalities before leaving prison. He has nevertheless been granted bail, subject to the conditions imposed by the court.
