India, April 28 -- Emphasising the need to favour a reformative approach over punitive measures, particularly for first-time offenders, the Bombay High Court on Friday granted bail to a 20-year-old Virar resident accused of kidnapping and sexually abusing a 17-year-old girl.

Justice Milind Jadhav, presiding over the bail plea, noted the importance of offering young offenders a chance at reform rather than condemning them to the harsh consequences of prolonged incarceration.

According to the case details, the young man and the girl had been acquainted for nearly three years after connecting on Instagram. Their online friendship gradually blossomed into a more intimate relationship. In October 2024, after an argument with her parents, the...