Shimla, Aug. 22 -- Himachal Pradesh High Court has granted regular bail to Dhananjay Kumar, accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a minor under the POCSO Act, after noting that the trial had not begun more than a year after the filing of the charge sheet.

Justice Sandeep Sharma, while allowing the bail plea, said that keeping the accused in custody for an indefinite period without trial would amount to "pre-trial conviction" and violate the fundamental right to a speedy trial under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Kumar was arrested on February 24, 2024, in connection with FIR No. 3/2024 registered at the Women Police Station, Baddi, District Solan, under Sections 363, 366, 376 of the IPC and Section 6 of the POCSO Act. Police al...