GUWAHATI, India, Nov. 6 -- Gauhati High Court issued the following order on Oct. 7:

1. Heard Mr. U.S. Borgohain, learned counsel for the petitioner. Also heard Mr. K.K. Parasar, learned Additional Public Prosecutor for the State.

2. This application under Section 482 of BNSS, 2023 has been filed by the accused petitioner, namely, 1. Aditya Paniphukan @ Aditya Sagar Paniphukan, seeking pre-arrest bail in connection with Jorhat P.S Case No. 438/2025 registered under Sections 308(4)/351(2)/3(5) of BNS, 2023.

3. The prima-facie facts which emerges that there was an alleged incident of sexual harassment in a store in Jorhat and thereafter, the present petitioner and another person, claiming to represent an organization named Veer Lachit Sena, allegedly tried to extort money from the store and also threatened them.

4. It is alleged that they demanded Rs.11 Lakhs. Bail petition preferred earlier was rejected by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Jorhat vide order dated 09.09.2025.

5. The learned counsel takes the Court through an order dated 02.09.2025 passed by this Court with regard to co-accused Sujit Dutta, who was granted interim protection while calling for the case diary.

6. Call for the case diary from the concerned police station.

7. Though the nature of the allegations is prima-facie a matter of concern- however, considering the aspect of parity vis-a-vis an order passed by the Co-ordinate Bench of this Court, it is directed that in the event of arrest of the petitioner in connection with this case, the above-named petitioner shall be allowed to go on interim bail of Rs.30,000/- (Rupees Thirty Thousand) only with one surety of the like amount subject to the satisfaction of the arresting authority with following conditions:

(i) That the petitioner shall co-operate in the investigation and appear before the I.O for recording the statement;

(ii) That the petitioner shall not, in any manner, intimidate or threaten the informant side or try to commit any offence against them;

(iii) That the petitioner shall not hamper or tamper with evidence. 8. List on 04.11.2025 along with AB No.2119/2025.

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