Mumbai Court Grants Anticipatory Bail to Man Accused of Raping Woman Met on Social Media

A Mumbai Court has granted anticipatory bail to a man accused of raping a 21-year-old woman he connected with on social media.

According to the complainant, Heetik Shah, a resident of Malabar Hill in south Mumbai, met her on social media and subsequently met her in person on January 13. They visited various eateries and pubs together.

The woman alleges that Shah took advantage of her inebriated state and raped her at his friend’s flat in Worli.

In his pre-arrest bail plea, Shah asserts that he is innocent and claims that the woman’s accusation is a result of vindictiveness. His plea, filed through advocates Abad Ponda and Subash Jadhav, suggests that the allegations against him are motivated by malicious intent on the part of the woman.

Shah contends in his plea that the woman initiated the sexual encounter, and everything that occurred between them was consensual. He further asserts that the complaint was filed with the aim of damaging his family’s reputation and extorting money from him.

The woman submitted an intervention application alleging that the accused is habitual in his behavior and has targeted numerous other girls who are too frightened to come forward and report.

In opposition to the plea, the police argue that there is a risk that Shah may intimidate the complainant, defame her, or pose a threat to her life.

After considering arguments from all parties, the additional sessions judge granted anticipatory bail to Shah. However, the detailed order is not yet available.