Rahul’s interim relief from arrest extended

The Bombay high court on Monday extended by a week the interim protection from arrest to actor-producer Rahul Raj Singh, booked for allegedly abetting the suicide of his girlfriend and TV star Pratyusha Banerjee.

The court was also informed that a special public prosecutor has been appointed in the case.

Justice Mridula Bhatkar, hearing Singh’s anticipatory bail plea, granted him further liberty on the same terms and conditions imposed on April 12 when he got interim protection for the first time.

The court had earlier asked Singh to appear before Bangur Nagar Police Station in suburban Goregaon (where the case against him has been filed) everyday from April 13 to April 18 between 11 am and 1 pm. The judge had also directed that in case Rahul is arrested, he should be released on a bond of Rs 30,000.

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government, in a letter, informed the High Court it has appointed Nilesh Pawaskar as the special public prosecutor in the case but a notification in this regard is yet to be issued.

Government Pleader Usha Kejriwal told the court there was hardly any progress in the investigation because Singh was hospitalised and discharged just two days ago. She also claimed the accused was not cooperating in the probe.