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Since the defense could not raise any new grounds, the court held that the defendant's second bail application lacked basis. (File photo)
Justice Piyush Agrawal noted that film evidence and the medical report of the Chief Veterinary Officer corroborated the alleged conduct
The Allahabad High Court recently denied bail to a man accused of having unnatural sex with a cow in a cow shed. The video of the incident went viral on WhatsApp.
Justice Piyush Agrawal noted that video evidence and the medical report of the chief veterinary officer corroborated the alleged conduct. Since the defense could not raise any new grounds, the court held that the defendant's second bail application lacked basis.
The order was passed on a plea filed by accused Harikishan, who was seeking bail for the second time in a case registered under Section 377 of the IPC at Hapur Nagar police station in Hapur district.
Lawyers representing Harikshan claimed he was innocent and wrongly accused. The lawyer alleged that considering Harikshan was a family member of Gram Pradhan, the informant along with his supporters delayed filing the FIR for two days to damage the reputation of the sitting Gram Pradhan.
Lawyers also argued that no witnesses were examined at the first bail hearing, but four witnesses who did not support the prosecution and were declared hostile have now been examined.
In addition, Harikshan's lawyers pointed out that the names and contact information of the film's creators were not included in the initial reports or witness statements.
He pleaded for Harikshan to be released on bail, saying there would be no risk of flight or bail abuse if Harikshan was released, especially since he has been incarcerated since June 20, 2023 and the completion of the trial remains elusive.
On the other hand, government advocates objected to the plea, saying a video received via WhatsApp on the phone of one of the witnesses clearly showed Harikshan performing the alleged act on the cow.
