Meghalaya HC granted bail to BJP leader accused of running brothel

Guwahati: The Meghalaya High Court granted bail to Bharatiya Janata Party leader, Bernard Marak on Saturday, who was detained on charges of running a brothel and keeping explosives and weapons at his farmhouse on the outskirts of Tura city.

He was given bail under the terms that he wouldn’t leave the country, or tamper with evidence and would assist the police.

On July 26, Marak was detained in the Hapur district of Uttar Pradesh. Since the authorities raided his farmhouse on July 23 and six minor children were rescued, he has been absconding.

On July 28, 35 gelatin sticks, 100 detonators, 4 crossbows, and 15 arrows were seized from the farmhouse.
The BJP leader was charged under the Explosive Substances Act, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act, the Immoral Trafficking (Prevention) Act, 1956, and numerous parts of the Indian Penal Code.

The Meghalaya High Court stated on Saturday that while it was content that Marak was the property’s owner, there was insufficient data that the location had been used as a brothel.

“There is insufficient evidence to link the accused person to the claimed offence based on the statement of the witnesses and the materials on the record, as there is no initial proof that the scene of the incident was utilized as a brothel and no proof that prostitution was carried”, officially stated.

In addition to granting him bail, the court asked Marak to present two solvent sureties in the sum of Rs 50,000 as well as a personal bond in the same amount.