A sessions court in Bhiwandi has refused interim protection to former legislator Narendra Baburao Pawar while his anticipatory-bail plea remains pending. The judge said the complainant and investigating officer should be heard before the court considers interim relief and sought their responses for September 24.
Additional Sessions Judge N.K. Karande described the allegations as serious and issued notices to the investigating officer and complainant. Pawar had sought anticipatory bail in a case registered at Padgha police station against him and other accused under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act.
The prosecution’s account is that the complainant approached Pawar for help with a dispute with her husband, was taken from Kalyan to a farmhouse and later reported that she had been raped. Those are allegations set out in the complaint; the court has not made a finding on guilt. Its immediate decision was limited to declining interim protection while seeking responses before the next hearing.