IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
AMIT MAHAJAN, J.
Safdar Ali - Appellant
Versus
The State (Govt. of NCT Of Delhi) - Respondent
Bail Appln. 2513 of 2022
Decided on : 18-01-2023
Indian Penal Code, 1860 - Section 376, 506, 201, 354-C, 384 - Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 - Section 164, 439 - Offence of rape - Offence of voyeurism - Punishment for criminal intimidation - Causing disappearance of evidence of offence - Punishment for extortion - Applicant earlier had preferred a regular bail application before learned Trial Court, which was dismissed by order, on ground that applicant had tried to mislead court by stating that it was his second bail application, whereas it was third - Held, In event of there being any FIR/complaint lodged against applicant or applicant is found to have violated conditions stated above, State is at liberty to file an appropriate application seeking cancellation of bail - Application allowed.
JUDGMENT :
1. The present application is filed under section 439 of CrPC seeking regular bail in FIR No. 320/2022 dated 13.03.2022 under section 376/506/201/354-C/384 of IPC at P.S Ranhola.
2. The applicant earlier had preferred a regular bail application before the learned Trial Court, which was dismissed by the order dated 23.07.2022, on the ground that the applicant had tried to mislead the court by stating that it was his second bail application, whereas it was third. The learned Trial Court while dismissing the bail application relied upon the judgment of this Court in Shiv Lingam V. State & Anr in Crl. M.C. 2885/2022, Crl. M.A. 12026/2022, wherein it was held that if the record of earlier bail applications is concealed by the applicant, then inevitably the judicial officer concerned may remain under impression that no bail application had been considered earlier by any court. In the aforesaid terms fraud vitiates all proceedings and the consideration of the bail application, would be no exception.
3. Before dismissal of the above bail application applicant had filed one bail application which was dismissed on 28.04.2022 on the ground that allegations are serious in nature and chargesheet is yet to be filed and one application was withdrawn on 07.06.2022 with liberty to file afresh.
4. It is alleged that in the month of May, 2021, the complainant/prosecutrix came in contact with the applicant through Facebook. Applicant introduced himself as a doctor working with all India Institute of Medical Sciences.
5. It is claimed that the complainant talked with the applicant in relation to the removal of scar by surgery in her abdomen. She met applicant for the first time in July, 2021 and from August, 2021, he started visiting her residence. The applicant stated to have also become friendly with the family members of the complainant. It is alleged that it was on some date after 20th August, 2021, the applicant came to the complainant’s residence and on some pretext, spent the night at her house and slept along with her younger brother in a separate room. It is alleged that on the said night, the applicant came to the complainant’s room at about 12:00-12:15 night when he closed her mouth with his hand and committed rape. The applicant then showed the complainant a video on his mobile which was prepared by him during the time he committed rape. It is further alleged that up till 30th November, 2021, the applicant used to regularly meet the complainant and used to commit rape. She did not tell anyone due to the fear of the alleged video being viraled. The applicant also took a sum of Rs.1,20,000/- during that period by blackmailing her. It is further alleged that the family of the applicant on being informed by the complainant about the offence being committed by the applicant, threatened the complainant of dire consequences.
6. Learned Counsel for the applicant submits that he is in judicial custody since 14.03.2022. The investigation is complete and chargesheet has already been filed and the case is pending for trial before learned Additional Sessions Judge-01, Tis Hazari.
7. He states that the applicant is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case. It is stated that the applicant and the prosecutrix were having friendly/family relations with each other for the last 1.5 years. Further, he submits that alleged offence took place during the period August 2021 to November 2021. The FIR, however, has been registered belatedly on 13.03.2022 after a delay of about four months.
8. He further submits that prosecutrix and applicant have been in deep love relationship and were intending to marry each other. In fact, the family of prosecutrix had taken a personal loan of 2,00,000/-from applicant by luring him and when applicant demanded the money back, they conspired to usurp and grab the hard-earned money of applicant.
9. Learned APP for the State and learned counsel for the prosecutrix opposes the grant of bail to the applicant.
1
The presumption of innocence, the sufficiency of evidence, and the purpose of pre-trial incarceration were central to the court's decision in granting bail.
The main legal point established in the judgment is that in cases involving bail applications for offenses under IPC, the court considers factors such as the delay in filing the FIR, evidence of forc....
The court's interpretation of Section 439 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, in granting bail to the accused despite serious allegations of rape and threats.
The decision to grant bail was based on the overall facts and circumstances of the case, including the discrepancies in the prosecution's case and the accused's complaints regarding threats and intim....
The legal position when a woman complains of sexual intercourse on a false promise of marriage requires active and reasoned deliberation for consent and a false promise given in bad faith with no int....
The seriousness of allegations and threats to the victim's safety are paramount in bail considerations, justifying denial when the applicant's personal circumstances do not outweigh these factors.
The court's decision was primarily based on the failure of the State to verify crucial aspects prior to the arrest and the prima facie opinion that the prosecutrix was aware of the religion of the ap....
Login now and unlock free premium legal research
Login to SupremeToday AI and access free legal analysis, AI highlights, and smart tools.
Login
now!
India’s Legal research and Law Firm App, Download now!
Copyright © 2023 Vikas Info Solution Pvt Ltd. All Rights Reserved.