Dhullu Mahto gets bail in 2015 rape case

RANCHI: The Jharkhand high court on Friday granted bail to BJP’s Baghmara legislator Dhullu Mahto in an attempt to rape case of 2015.
The victim had mentioned in her FIR that she was exploited by Mahto who even tried to rape her. The incident dates back to 2015 and the only reason she could not report the matter earlier was a fear of Mahto who had been threatening her.
Mahto had earlier sought an anticipatory bail before the high court which was rejected. Thereafter, on May 11, he surrendered before the Dhanbad civil court and was sent to jail. Mahto then moved for a regular bail before the high court which had heard the matter and reserved its order on July 6.
Justice Rongon Mukhopadhayay after having heard Mahto’s counsels and the prosecution granted bail to the legislator. While granting the bail, the court observed that the incident dates back to 2015 and Mahto has been in custody for some time now.
Earlier, the counsel for the prosecution had informed the court that Mahto is a history-sheeter and has about three dozen cases registered against him. Mahto’s counsel Indrajit Sinha on the other hand argued that his client has been falsely implicated in the case and has been acquitted in as many as 33 cases.
Sinha further said that the case has been lodged against Mahto for an incident which allegedly occurred in 2015. The case seems to be fabricated to frame Mahto in a false case, Sinha said. He also added that the criminal case was filed in 2019 after the change in the government in the state and seems to be politically motivated.
(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault)