Court denies bail to William Heum, to stay in judicial custody

Chennai, Nov 19(ANI): A Chennai court on Thursday dismissed the bail petition by William Heum, a Dutch national, who has been charged under the new IT Act for digital child pornography.

Additional Public Prosecutor D L Raja said that the bail was denied considering the seriousness of the case.

While, addressing the media, Heum's Counsel Ravikumar said that the magistrate "was not inclined" to grant bail since investigation was in its preliminary stages.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Saidpet Magistrate Court had sent Heum, who has been residing in the country for last 30 years, to 15 days judicial custody.

The Chennai Police had produced Heum before the Saidapet Magistrate Court in connection with the 2005 charge of posting child pornography on the Internet, a crime under the new IT Act. It is a punishable crime with a maximum of seven years' imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10 lakh.

According to police pornographic CDs and other incriminating documents in the process were recovered during the raids.

Police said the materials have been sent to the forensic science laboratory and a report is awaited.

He was previously arrested by the Mahabalipuram police in 2002 and charged with having sex with minors. (ANI)