Panaji, Feb 14 (IANS): The naval police, posted at the INS Hansa naval base in South Goa, had tried to scuttle a molestation complaint against Commander Manikandan Nambiar by his maid on February 12, police told a trial court in Goa, which granted anticipatory bail to the accused on Thursday.

"It is evident from the complaint and also from the statement of witness that the complainant had approached naval police authorities with her complaint. However, the accused being an influential person, the naval police authorities tried to suppress her from complaining against the accused person," investigating officer Sub Inspector Sarvesh Sawant said in his written report filed before Additional Sessions Judge Sayanora Laad on Thursday.

Police also said the accused, on February 12, had torn the 22-year-old victim's clothes and molested the widow in his bedroom at his official quarters, located near the naval base, 30 km south of Panaji. Nambiar is the second most senior officer posted at the base.

The judge on Thursday, after hearing the public prosecutor and the defence lawyer, granted anticipatory bail to Nambiar upon furnishing a bond of Rs 20,000.

Nambiar has also been directed to appear at the Vasco Police Station where the First Information Report has been filed against him under sections 354, 354 (a) and (b) for two days from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and co-operate with the ongoing investigation.