In an appeal filed before the Supreme Court against an order dated 18-09-2025 by the High Court of Bombay, whereby respondent 1 was granted bail, a Bench comprising Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice R. Mahadevan set aside the impugned order and directed respondent 1 to surrender within a week.
Respondent 1 was alleged to be in a relationship with the appellant’s daughter (deceased), who was engaged to another person. Upon gaining knowledge of her engagement, respondent 1 circulated intimate photographs of the deceased on social media and also forwarded them to her prospective groom. Thereafter, the wedding was called off, which led to the suicide of the deceased.
It was submitted that the deceased committed suicide as she had lost her social prestige and was conscious of the damage caused to her family. It was also asserted that the connection of suicide with the so-called social media clip was enough to show that there was a direct nexus between the uploading of the obscene video and the suicide. Respondent 1 argued that he was innocent, as the clip went viral because his brother shared it, not him. He also submitted that he had been in custody for two years before being granted bail and that the deceased’s letter was doubtful.
Respondent 1 failed to answer the Court upon being asked how a third party got hold of a video that could have been made only in the presence of the deceased and respondent 1. Considering the case in its entirety, the Court opined that the present case was not fit for the High Court to exercise its jurisdiction and release respondent 1 on bail.
Thus, the Court set aside the impugned order and directed respondent 1 to surrender before the trial court within a week. The Court directed that the trial be continued and brought to its logical conclusion at the earliest, and stated that the trial court would deal firmly with any non-cooperation or delay by any of the accused.
Appearances:
For Petitioners – Mr. Sanjay Kumar Visen (AOR), Mr. Kaustubh Dube, Mr. Mohammad Mulla, Mr. Harshad Rathod, Mr. Ashish Jacob Mathew, Mr. Achin Sondhi, Ms. Ashruta Singh, Mr. Gaurav Shukla, Mr. K. Subba Rao, Mr. M. Venkatesulu, Mr. F.M. Patweghar
For Respondents – Mr. Samrat Krishnarao Shinde (AOR), Mr. Aaditya Aniruddha Pande (AOR), Mr. Pratyush Kalro, Mr. Shrirang B. Varma, Mr. Siddharth Dharmadhikari
