The Officer in Charge Police Station Poonawa vs. Segu Ismile Mohamad Manzoor – CA BAIL 61/2022-2022

In the case between the suspect petitioner and the Officer in Charge, Police Station Poonawa, the court addressed the issue of whether bail could be granted under section 10(1)(a) of the Assistance to and Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses Act No. 4 of 2015, in criminal proceedings alleging rape and abduction of a 15‑year‑old complainant. The application for bail arose amidst allegations that the suspect had threatened the victim’s family to withdraw the case. It was concluded that the statutory requirement of demonstrating “exceptional circumstances” had not been met, particularly in light of the seriousness of the charges and the vulnerability of the victim. Relying on established judicial precedent mandating a case-by-case assessment of exceptional circumstances, the holding r