Delhi HC rejects bail plea of ​​Seema Rani, wife of Delhi WCD official Premoday Khakha

The Delhi High Court on Friday denied bail to Seema Rani Khakha, the wife of suspended Delhi government official Premoday Khakha, who is accused of repeatedly raping and impregnating a minor girl.

The court stressed its concerns about possible influence on witness statements and the declining bond of trust between families.

Seema Rani Khakha is accused of actively participating in the crime, including administering medication to terminate the victim’s pregnancy.

Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma, while rejecting the bail plea of ​​Seema Rani Khakha, said the case “touches on the basis of trust between two families” and stressed that the possibility of witness tampering cannot be ruled out at this stage.

Earlier this year, in February, the Delhi High Court had denied bail to Premoday Khakha and his wife, Seema Rani Khakha, in a POCSO case. The decision was upheld by the trial court.

The Khakhas had sought bail on the grounds that the Delhi Police had not yet filed a full chargesheet, which they said would entitle them to bail.

After hearing the arguments of both the defence and the prosecution, Judge Jyoti Singh rejected the bail applications.

The Delhi Police subsequently filed a chargesheet on October 11, 2023, which was heard by the Tis Hazari court on November 9, 2023.

The Khakhas have remained in pre-trial detention since their arrest in August 2023.

Premoday Khakha, former deputy director of the Delhi government’s Women and Child Development Department, is accused of sexually abusing and impregnating a minor girl.

His wife, Seema Rani Khakha, allegedly threatened the victim and facilitated an abortion.

The case involves charges including rape, sexual assault, criminal intimidation and violations of the POCSO Act.

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