Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Dec 21: The Fast Track Special Court under the POCSO Act has dismissed a plea by a 50-year-old man accused of rape, who sought interim bail and referral to a medical board citing alleged mental illness.

The accused claimed he suffered from a mental disorder, was unable to comprehend legal proceedings, and argued that continued detention worsened his condition. He requested interim bail pending a report from a medical board.

The prosecution opposed the application, stating that the charges were serious, the accused had not submitted any psychiatric medical certificate, and the documents presented pertained only to abdominal and biopsy treatments, not mental health.

On reviewing the records, the court noted that prescriptions from the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour (IPHB), Bambolim, reflected only short-term medication for anxiety and nutrition, failing to substantiate a mental illness claim. The court also cited prior complaints against the accused for indecent exposure and sexually inappropriate behaviour.

Observing the absence of credible evidence of mental illness before or after the alleged offence, the court ruled that the application for medical examination and interim bail was not maintainable under law.