Mumbai, Jul 18: A court in Mumbai has granted bail to Jammu and Kashmir-based female cricketer Farkhanda Aziz Khan, the principal accused in an alleged sextortion case being investigated by the Mumbai Crime Branch.

The 30-year-old was ordered to be released on a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh, subject to the conditions laid down by the court.

Khan, associated with the Jammu & Kashmir T-20 League and a resident of Boniyar tehsil in Baramulla, was arrested with her brother Bazil Khan, 27, from a New Delhi hotel in April. Their alleged associate, Imtiyaz Uddin Wani, 22, was later arrested in Srinagar.

The order comes while the investigation into the alleged offence is still underway. Khan is among the accused in a case linked to an alleged sextortion racket that is being probed by the Crime Branch.

During the hearing the bail plea was strongly opposed by the prosecution on the grounds that investigation is going on and accused may tamper with the investigatio, while the defence sought the accused’s release pending further proceedings.

After hearing both sides, the court accepted the bail application and directed Khan’s release on a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh.

The granting of bail does not amount to a determination on the merits of the allegations, which will be examined during the course of the trial. The investigation in the case remains in progress, and further legal proceedings are expected before the competent court.

The court directed Farkhanda to attend trial proceedings and barred her from leaving India without permission. She has also been asked to give her address.–(UNI)