HC takes up rape victim’s petition day after her suicide bid

The Gujarat High Court Wednesday heard the bail cancellation petition moved by a 26-year-old rape victim who had consumed poison a day earlier after her petition was adjourned for March 15. After the incident, the court kept the petition for hearing on Wednesday.

"The court issued notice to the accused in the case and kept further hearing on March 8," said the victim's lawyer.

In 2010, the woman had lodged a complaint at Meghaninagar police station alleging one Sandip Panchal of raping her. She also alleged that she was raped by Panchal in 2008 and that was videographed by him. Subsequently, she alleged, Panchal used to sexually exploit her by threatening to expose the video clip. On December 3 last year, the accused procured anticipatory bail from Ahmedabad City Civil & Sessions Court. And the victim had moved a petition at the HC to get Panchal's bail cancelled.

On Tuesday, the victim's lawyer was not present due to death of a close relative and for that reason the petition was adjourned for hearing on March 15. Following this, the woman had consumed poisonous substance inside the court. She was rushed to the nearby Sola Civil Hospital in critical condition. Following this incident, the petition was kept for hearing on Wednesday.

The woman had complained that she was getting threatening calls from unknown persons to withdraw her complaint.

The victim is still admitted at the Sola Civil Hospital in ICU. The superintendent of Sola Civil Hospital, Dr H K Bhavsar, said, "We have removed ventilator but still we cannot say that she is out of danger. We are keeping her under observation for the next 48 hours. And only after that, we can say something."

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