New Delhi: The Bombay High Court has granted anticipatory bail to an Army Major, accused of rape by a woman who met him on a matrimonial website.
The bench of Justice Bharati Dangre granted the relief to the accused after observing: “…the complaint read with the conversation on the WhatsApp chat which has been placed on record do reveal that at a point of time, the applicant and complainant were desirous of getting married and both of them invested in the relationship, however, for the reasons very personal to them, they drifted apart. The complainant and the applicant both being majors are entitled to take decisions in their life.”
The complainant-woman, aged 28, first met with the accused after getting to know each other on a matrimonial website. The army major came to Mumbai to visit the lady specifically for the purpose of meeting.
The woman accused him of a forced physical relationship on the promise that they will get married later that year. She also made the allegations that he also committed ‘unnatural‘ sexual offences at that time.
After some time the woman noticed that the major and his family were now not willing to have the proposed wedding. This led her to filing the complaint for rape and cheating.
In the police investigation it comes out that the man had used many identities to communicate and carry on relationships with various women. The police had recovered 14 mobile SIM numbers from the man.
The counsel for the accused submitted that he had cooperated with the investigation from its initiation. He added that since he occupies a responsible position in the Army, it would ensure his continued cooperation. The counsel for the bail applicant sought permission to return to the Army so he can resume his duties. The Court granted him bail.
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The delay in filing the complaint also raised doubts about the veracity of the complaint, which the judge remarked would have to be thoroughly investigated.
Read the order here;
bombay-hc-India Legal Bureau