The Hindu : Judge released, says he was framed

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jan 24, 2004

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Judge released, says he was framed

MUMBAI, JAN. 23. The South African judge, Sirajuddin Mohammed Ibrahim Desai, was granted bail today by a Sessions court in a rape case and released from jail in the evening.

``I was framed. It was a traumatic experience for me as well as my family but I am thankful to the media, the South African consulate and the team of lawyers for expressing their support,'' Mr. Desai, who was accused of raping a 27-year-old AIDS activist of his own country, told reporters after his release.

The judge said: ``My first wish is to go back home and soften the blow of this case. I am also grateful to the people of South Africa for giving me support. I am proud to be a South African national.''

However, he refused to comment on the incident, saying it was sub judice and the case had not been withdrawn yet.

Earlier, the Sessions court granted him bail on a personal bond of Rs. 10,000 with a surety of the same amount or Rs. 10,000 in cash in lieu thereof. The court observed that there was prima facie substance in the argument of Mr. Desai that the alleged act was that of consensual sex and not rape.

`Accusations are true'

A report from Durban says that the South African AIDS activist who withdrew the rape charge against Mr. Desai, today insisted that her accusations of sexual misbehaviour were true. Her lawyer, Gabriela Palacios, said her client ``never said that her complaint of rape was untrue. She only said she is withdrawing the charges to put an end to the matter.''

Ms. Palacios claimed that the media had distorted the original statement issued last evening because her client had not in any way said she had ``unconditionally'' withdrawn the charges. — PTI

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