Mumbai Court Grants Anticipatory Bail to Rape Accused Claiming Consensual Relationship

A sessions court in Mumbai granted anticipatory bail to a rape accused, who presented an agreement claiming a consensual relationship with the victim. Despite the complainant's refusal to sign the agreement, the court observed the relationship as consensual. The accused's lawyer argued the complainant's pattern of false allegations.

A sessions court in Mumbai has granted anticipatory bail to an individual accused in a rape case registered with the Colaba police station. During the hearing, the accused presented an agreement, claiming a consensual relationship with the victim, which they had formalized through a notarized document for an 11-month live-in arrangement.

The agreement, which purportedly outlined terms both parties agreed upon, was presented in court. According to the document, they were to be in a consensual relationship from August 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. The agreement included a clause preventing the woman from making any allegations of non-consensual sexual relations, though she later declined to acknowledge the agreement.

The court noted the lack of evidence of force at the initial stage of their relationship and highlighted discrepancies, such as the delay in filing the FIR and allegations of harassment, deemed improbable due to the accused's location. The court concluded that the nature of the offense and accusations did not warrant custodial interrogation. The accused was granted bail on a bond of Rs 25,000 and a solvent surety of the same amount.

The accused's lawyer stated, 'We informed the honourable session court of all facts. The complainant has a pattern of entering consensual relationships and later making rape allegations. Despite her claiming the signature on the agreement was forged, we proved its authenticity. The court found no basis for her harassment claims, given the geographical locations of the involved parties.'

(With inputs from agencies.)