Madhya Pradesh High Court Grants Bail To Man Accused Of Filming Women In Maternity Ward

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has granted bail to a man accused of filming inside a maternity ward of a government hospital in Guna, while taking note of his contention that he was documenting alleged irregularities in the hospital and not recording women patients.

Justice Dwarka Dhish Bansal of the Gwalior Bench passed the order in a criminal appeal filed by Krashnanu Sharma alias Krashnanu @ Vikky, challenging the rejection of his regular bail application by the Special Judge (Atrocities), Guna. The appeal was filed under Section 14-A(2) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act, 2015.

According to the prosecution, Sharma was arrested on May 5, 2026, in connection with Crime No. 210/2026 registered at Police Station Kotwali, Guna. He faces allegations under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the Madhya Pradesh Chikitsak Evam Chikitsa Se Sambandhit Vyaktiyon Ki Suraksha Adhiniyam, and Section 66E of the Information Technology Act.

Appearing for the appellant, Advocate Madhur Bhargava argued that his client had been falsely implicated in the case. He submitted that Sharma had not made any videography of women admitted in the maternity or labour ward. Instead, according to the defence, the videos were taken only to highlight alleged irregularities involving doctors and hospital staff. Counsel further pointed out that the appellant had remained in custody since May 5 and sought his release on bail pending trial.

The State opposed the appeal through Public Prosecutor Brajesh Kumar Tyagi. The prosecution argued that the appellant had a criminal history involving four cases and therefore did not deserve the discretionary relief of bail. However, during the hearing, the State was unable to place material from the case diary demonstrating a stronger case against the appellant at this stage of the proceedings.

After hearing both sides and examining the case diary, the High Court observed that the nature of the allegations and the material placed before it justified grant of bail without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case. The Court stated, “Considering the submissions advanced by counsel for the parties and looking to the nature of allegation levelled against the appellant, without commenting on the merits of the case, this Court deems it proper to allow the prayer for grant of bail.”

Consequently, the Court allowed the criminal appeal and set aside the order dated May 11, 2026, by which the Special Judge (Atrocities), Guna had rejected the appellant’s bail plea.

The High Court directed that Sharma be released on bail upon furnishing a personal bond of Rs 50,000 along with one solvent surety of the like amount to the satisfaction of the trial court concerned.

The relief, however, was made subject to several conditions. The appellant has been directed to comply with the terms of the bond, cooperate with the investigation and trial, refrain from influencing witnesses or tampering with evidence, avoid seeking unnecessary adjournments, and not leave India without prior permission of the trial court or investigating officer.

With these directions, the Court allowed the appeal and ordered the appellant’s release on bail pending further proceedings in the matter. The observations made in the order are confined to the consideration of bail and will not affect the merits of the criminal case during trial.

Case Title: Krashnanu Sharma @Krashnanu @ Vikky v. The State of Madhya Pradesh and Others

Date of Order: June 10, 2026

Bench: Justice Dwarka Dhish Bansal