The City Civil and Sessions Court on Monday granted advance bail to Karthik Gowda, son of Union Railway Minster D.V. Sadananda Gowda, charged with raping and cheating a Kannada film actor. Judge G.B. Mudigowder directed Karthik to produce a Rs. 2 lakh bond with two sureties.
In its order, the court directed Karthik to appear before the investigating officer whenever he is summoned and visit R.T. Nagar Police station on the 15th and 30th of every month till the investigation is completed. He was also directed to co-operate with the investigation and not tamper with evidence or influence witnesses. He is to surrender his passport to the police. The court said that bail will be cancelled if any of these conditions are violated.
Judge Mudigowder, in his 62-page judgment, has said that there is confusion as the complainant filed a compliant of rape after two months.
The complainant’s counsel said that they are going to challenge the order in the High Court on Wednesday.
The complaint told the media that this was not a setback for her, as she respected the court order and was sure of getting justice.
The judgement is a relief for the special team, which has fanned out in different directions looking for Karthik. “There is no need to track him down now. He will hopefully come to us at least now since there is no apprehension of arrest,” a senior police officer said.
As part of the procedure, Karthik has to appear before the jurisdictional police and cooperate with the investigation, which includes a medical test, a senior police officer said.
