Sitapur: Congress MP Rakesh Rathore was granted bail on Tuesday by a local court in Sitapur, clearing the way for his release from jail, his lawyer confirmed.
The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court had initially granted Rathore bail on March 11 in a rape case filed under Section 64 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). However, on the same day, Sitapur police filed a charge sheet adding Section 69 of BNS (sexual intercourse by deceit), which carries a maximum punishment of 10 years in prison, delaying his release.
On Tuesday, Chief Judicial Magistrate Gaurav Prakash granted Rathore bail in the Section 69 case. His lawyer, Vijay Kumar Singh, stated that two bail bonds of ₹1 lakh each were furnished on his behalf.
Rathore was arrested on January 30 and has been lodged in Sitapur district jail since then. According to police and prosecution, he is accused of raping a 45-year-old woman under the pretext of marriage and promising assistance in her political career. The MP was taken into custody from his residence while addressing a press conference to refute the allegations.
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