Delhi High Court Grants Bail to Fugitive in London Pub Rape Case

Justice Narula passed the order on January 10

The Delhi High Court has granted regular bail to a fugitive Portuguese national, who is wanted and accused in the 2017 London pub rape case. Justice Sanjiv Narula granted regular bail to fugitive criminal Jose Inacio Kota.

"Considering the aforesaid order and the facts of the case, the petitioner is granted bail on the same terms and conditions specified in para 5 of the interim bail order," Justice Narula ordered on January 10.

However, the High Court had directed that once the proceedings of the FIR registered at PS Maina Courtorim, Goa are over, the petitioner shall surrender in the urgent complaint case before the concerned court at Patiala House.

The fugitive offender had filed a petition under Section 25 Extradition Act along with Section 439 CrPC through advocates Arpit Batra, Abhilasha and Nihal P Kamat seeking regular bail in the complaint case titled Union of India vs. Jose Inácio Kota.

It was contended that the fugitive criminal cannot be extradited as a criminal case is pending against him in Goa. The counsel for the Central Government had submitted that in view of Section 31(d) of the Extradition Act, extradition is not possible until the criminal case registered in 2021 at PS Maina Courtorim, Goa is disposed of.

Interim bail on deposit of Rs 1 lakh

The trial is going on in the court of Civil Judge Junior Division and Judicial Magistrate First Class Margao, Goa. The high court had granted interim bail to the Kota petitioner on furnishing a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh and a surety of Rs 1 lakh. The High Court had directed the petitioner to surrender his passport. He will report to the local police station in Goa every Friday at 05:00 pm. It was also directed that he shall remain in the territory of Goa.