Man denied bail for raping woman on pretext of marriage

The Delhi High Court Wednesday denied anticipatory to a man claiming to be a 'sanyaasi' for raping a woman on the pretext of marriage.

Justice Kailash Gambhir dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of accused, considering the seriousness of the allegations against him.

The accused claimed that he is a spiritually inclined person and never had physical relations with the complainant.

The accused, Anuj Kumar, moved the high court seeking anticipatory bail after the woman filed a complaint with Pandav Nagar police March 1, that Kumar had developed physical relations with her saying he would marry her.

Kumar denied the allegations and said he had not promised marriage and had no physical relations with the complainant as he was following the principle of "sanyaas" and wishes to attain salvation.

Dismissing the bail plea, Justice Gambhir said: "It is apparent that the applicant sexually exploited the complainant on the pretext of marrying her and is now trying to take shelter by professing his spiritual inclination and belief in the principle of 'sanyaas'."

"With a view to sexually exploit the complainant, the applicant also put vermilion in her hairline to convince her of his commitment towards her so that she would have sexual relations with him without restriction."

Slamming the accused for his act and taking shelter of being 'sanyaasi' to save him, the court said: "It is revolting to see 'sanyaasi' and 'spirituality' being used as an excuse for such deplorable acts and this court strongly condemns it."

It also said that anticipatory bail can be granted only in exceptional circumstances where court is prima facie of the view that the applicant has been falsely enroped in the crime.