Indian nationals accused of rape freed on bail

By Daniel Nemukuyu

The National Prosecuting Authority has admitted that State’s evidence against two Indian businessmen Krishna Satyanarayana Gandlur and Ravi Kumar Krishnan, accused of raping a local woman in a hotel room, was weak and based on speculation.

Gandlur and Ravi were arrested last week for rape and spent the weekend in custody.

High Court judge Justice Garainesu Mawadze, yesterday ordered the release of the duo on $1 000 bail each following concessions by the prosecution.

A senior officer in the NPA Mr Edmore Nyazamba, bared it all in his response to the bail application by the pair’s lawyers Mr Dumisani Mtombeni and Mr Jonathan Samukange.

Mr Nyazamba said the State’s case was weak and based on speculation and a video clip that only shows people moving in the corridor.

“The apparent strength of the State’s case at this stage is on the lower scale because it is not known as to which of the two committed the offence.

“It is speculated that either of the two applicants committed the offence.

“It is not clear how applicants will likely interfere with the hotel staff who are in possession of the video clip, which shows events that do not include the alleged rape,” reads the prosecution’s response to bail.