Bail granted to two in abduction case

Chennai, Jun 24 (UNI) The Principal Sessions Court, Chennai, today granted bail to two city businessmen, who were arrested on the charges of abducting and robbing an American teacher.

Allowing their second bail petition, Principal Sessions Judge Aruna Jagadeesan ordered Jose Mathew and Shaka John to furnish a surety for Rs 5,000 and two other sureties for a like sum. The judge also directed them to report before the police station concerned daily, until further orders.

The businessmen claimed in their petition that the results of medical examination had negated the allegation of Ms Kelly Baker that she was molested. They also mentioned media reports in this regard.

Citing the results of the medical examination as change of circumstances, they said ''the results completely negate the suspicious claims made in the complaint by her. It obviously reveals the falsity of the allegation.'' They submitted that a reading of Ms Baker's police complaint would make it clear that it was on the basis of her doubt it was alleged that she might have been sexually assaulted. She had also alleged that her mobile phone and digital camera were stolen.

In a separate bail petition, John contended that the inclusion of his name in the case was improper and added that Ms Baker's digital camera and mobile phone were recovered from Jose Mathew and not him.

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