Bombay HC grants interim bail in rape case after amicable settlement

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court has granted interim bail to a man accused of sexually exploiting a woman on the false promise of marriage and allegedly misappropriating over Rs.73 lakh from her.Justice Shyam C. Chandak, hearing his bail application during the vacation court on May 26, ordered the release of the applicant in connection with an FIR registered at Marine Drive Police Station.The case has been registered under Sections 69, 318(4), 115(2), 351(2) and 352 of the BNS of cheating, voluntarily causing hurt, criminal intimidation.According to the prosecution, between October 2017 and February 2026, the applicant allegedly established physical relations with the complainant on the false pretext of marriage. The complainant further alleged that the accused obtained more than Rs.73 lakh from her and misappropriated the money.During the hearing, counsel Nirali Sharma appearing for the complainant informed the court that both parties had arrived at an amicable settlement, as the dispute also involved monetary transactions. A pursis recording the settlement was tendered before the court and taken on record.The complainant’s counsel further informed the court that the applicant had handed over a cheque of Rs.5 lakh towards part payment of the settlement amount and that the complainant had no objection to the grant of interim bail.Considering the settlement and submissions made by both sides, the court directed that the accused be released on interim bail till the next hearing on furnishing a personal recognisance bond of Rs.50,000 with one or two sureties of like amount.The court also directed the applicant to attend Marine Drive Police Station once every week between 11 am and 2 pm until further orders and restrained him from tampering with prosecution evidence.The court permitted the applicant to furnish the surety within two weeks. Till then, he was directed to execute a PR bond of Rs.50,000 and deposit Rs.50,000 in lieu of the surety bond. The matter has been posted for further hearing on June 25, 2026.