Mumbai News LIVE Updates: Court grants bail to US citizen, 2 Indians held for religious conversion attempt

Mumbai News LIVE Updates: `Bail is the rule, jail an exception`

Considering those offences and punishment prescribed for the same it would be not legal and proper to keep the applicant (foreign national) behind bars till completion of investigation, the court said. "In many rulings Hon`ble Apex Court as well as our parent (Bombay) High Court has issued guidelines that bail is rule and jail is an exception. The said principle is applicable to the present applicant, considering the punishment prescribed for the offences alleged. No fruitful purpose will suffice by keeping the applicants (all three accused) behind bars," it stated. (PTI)

Mumbai News LIVE Updates: Court notes probe largely complete, cites valid visa in granting bail to US national in Thane conversion case

Mumbai News LIVE Updates: FIR claims accused gave ‘wine’ to minors, promised cures while promoting Christianity

The prosecution claimed they were giving out "wine," assuring attendees it would resolve problems and cure illnesses. The FIR alleged the trio targeted underage children, and "forcibly tried to give wine to minor girls for campaigning of Christian religion". Watson was additionally accused of contravening his business visa by engaging in religious campaigning.

Mumbai News LIVE Updates: No conclusive evidence to show accused forcibly gave wine to minors to change religion, says court

While granting bail, Judge Kale emphasized that the maximum punishment for the key offences was not more than seven years. At present, except contents in the FIR there is no conclusive evidence to show this applicant (Watson) forcibly gave wine to minor girls to change their religion, noted the court.