A court in Pune has granted bail to two co-accused, including a lawyer, in a harrowing case of alleged sexual exploitation of a woman from Bhutan over a five-year period. The order was passed by the court of additional sessions judge SS Nair on Wednesday.
The Allegations and the FIR
The 27-year-old woman from Bhutan arrived in India in 2020 in search of employment. According to the prosecution, she later began residing with the main accused, who arranged her accommodation and offered her a job. In her complaint filed with the Samarth police on April 8, 2025, the woman alleged that the main accused established physical relations with her without her consent.
She further stated in the FIR that the main accused would frequently host parties at his residence where alcohol was served. During these gatherings, his friends, including the two co-accused who secured bail, allegedly sexually exploited her on multiple occasions. The woman claimed she was threatened with dire consequences if she ever disclosed these incidents to anyone.
Court Proceedings and Bail Arguments
A total of 11 accused individuals are facing trial in this case. The charges against them are severe and include rape, repeated rape of the same woman, sexual harassment, molestation, criminal intimidation, and offences under common intention.
The prosecution strongly opposed the bail application for the two co-accused. They emphasized the gravity of the allegations, pointing to the statements recorded during the investigation and the material evidence collected by the police.
The defence counsel, however, denied all allegations. They argued that the investigation was complete and that the specific role attributed to their clients was limited. Crucially, the defence invoked the principle of parity, noting that four other co-accused in the same case had previously been granted bail by the high court and the sessions court.
The Court's Reasoning for Granting Bail
In his order, Judge SS Nair stated that he had considered all documents and submissions from both sides. The court acknowledged that the victim alleged she was sexually assaulted by several people from 2020 until the FIR was filed in 2025.
However, the order noted, "during this period, she did not approach the police or raise any objection. She also continued to attend gatherings organised by accused no. 1." The judge observed that at this stage, the circumstances did not indicate the use of force by the two applicants seeking bail.
"Further, other accused with a similar role have already got bail. On the ground of parity, the present applicants are also entitled bail," the court ruled. The woman has since returned to her native place, and the police have already filed a chargesheet in the matter.
