NEW DELHI: Seema Rani Khakha, wife of suspended Delhi officer Premoday Khakha on Thursday has approached the Delhi high court seeking bail in a case involving alleged rape of a minor. Appearing before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, counsel for Seema Rani Khakha argued that she has been in custody since August 2023 and has already been discharged of charges related to abetment of rape.The plea is her second regular bail application before the high court. Her lawyer told the court that last year, the Supreme Court had allowed her to seek bail from the trial court after one year.The prosecution opposed the bail request, stating that the victim’s mother is yet to be examined before the trial court. It expressed concern that the accused might try to influence her, as both attend the same church. The prosecution also pointed out that the trial court had earlier passed a detailed order rejecting her bail plea.The high court indicated it was ready to hear arguments but adjourned the matter to May 4 after the defence counsel sought time, saying he wished to be physically present in court.Premoday Khakha is accused of sexually assaulting a minor girl, known to him, multiple times between November 2020 and January 2021. He has been in judicial custody since his arrest in August 2023.According to the case, his wife allegedly gave the minor medicines to terminate her pregnancy. She is also in judicial custody.Earlier, the high court upheld the charges framed against Premoday Khakha, including rape of a minor under 16 and offences committed by a person in a position of trust or authority, along with causing hurt. However, it quashed charges against Seema Rani Khakha for abetment of rape and penetrative sexual assault.Both were arrested in August 2023 after the survivor recorded her statement before a magistrate at a hospital. The case has been registered under provisions of the POCSO Act and the Indian Penal Code.In September 2024, the high court had rejected Seema Rani Khakha’s bail plea, observing that the case “strikes at the root of trust between two families” and that the possibility of influencing witnesses could not be ruled out at that stage.On January 24, 2025, the Supreme Court granted her liberty to approach the trial court again for bail after one year.(The victim’s identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)
