Mon Apr 07 18:11:16 UTC 2025: ## BJP Worker Granted Anticipatory Bail in Sexual Harassment Case
**Mangaluru, April 7, 2025** – A Mangaluru court granted anticipatory bail to Mahesh Kumar, a 49-year-old BJP worker and director of a cooperative society, who is accused of sexually harassing a minor girl from the Scheduled Caste community. The Additional District and Sessions Judge, Fast Track Sessions Court-1, Vinay Devaraj, granted the bail on Monday.
Kumar, a resident of Bantwal taluk, is accused of approaching the girl on January 12th in his agricultural field, praising her appearance, and subsequently inviting her to a nearby hillock. The girl filed a complaint on March 25th, alleging sexual harassment.
The police registered the complaint under several sections, including the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POSCO), the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Social organizations had protested, demanding Kumar’s arrest.
In granting bail, the judge stated that there was insufficient evidence to suggest the crime was motivated by the victim’s caste. He also noted the offenses were not heinous, carrying a penalty of less than seven years’ imprisonment. Kumar must appear before the investigating officer within 25 days and provide a personal bond of ₹50,000.
First Piper 