MP High Court Cancels Bail Of Rape Accused For Sending Victim's Videos To In-Laws Via Fake ID

The Madhya Pradesh High Court's Jabalpur Bench has cancelled the bail granted to a man accused of rape, holding that he misused the liberty granted to him by allegedly sending private videos and photographs of the victim to her in-laws through a fake social media identity, and by pressuring her to give a statement in his favour.

Justice Ratnesh Chandra Singh Bisen passed the order on an application filed by the victim under Section 483(2) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, seeking cancellation of the bail granted to respondent Dheer Singh on September 1, 2025, in a case registered under Sections 376 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code.

The victim's counsel, Ashish Tiwari, submitted that after being released on bail, Dheer Singh violated its conditions and misused the liberty granted to him. It was argued that he forcibly violated the victim's privacy by sending WhatsApp chats, videos and photographs to her in-laws, including her mother-in-law, father-in-law and sister-in-law, by creating a fake profile in the name of "Sofi" or "Sofia."

Tiwari further submitted that Dheer Singh was pressuring the victim to give a statement favourable to him, that a written complaint to the Superintendent of Police, Satna, had led to no action, and that her brother had separately approached the CM Helpline. It was contended that the accused could threaten or influence prosecution witnesses and interfere with a fair trial.

Appearing for Dheer Singh, advocate Jitendra Prasad Gautam argued that his client had been falsely implicated and had not violated any bail condition. He submitted that the allegation of chats and videos sent to the in-laws had already been considered at the bail stage, and that the complaint should have first been filed with the Station House Officer rather than directly with the SP. Gautam also told the court that Dheer Singh had lodged a complaint over the loss of his mobile phone, bearing two SIM numbers, with Kotwali Police Station, Satna, and urged that the chats and the identity behind the fake profile be verified before any adverse view was taken.

Amit Garg, panel lawyer for the State, pointed to a document on the CM Helpline complaint, noting that the complainant and the accused had entered into a compromise on December 16, 2025, after being counselled by a Helpline officer.

Examining the submissions, the court rejected the lost-phone defence, noting that no material had been placed on record to show Dheer Singh had informed his mobile service provider about the loss of the SIM cards or sought to have them blocked. In the absence of such intimation, the possibility of misuse by another person could not be ruled out, but the court added that a stranger finding the phone and independently using it to send photographs and videos to Dheer Singh's own in-laws was "highly improbable and difficult to accept."

The court held the allegations, if established, amounted to a serious violation of the conditions imposed while granting bail, and that such conduct could affect the dignity and privacy of the victim while raising a real apprehension of witness influence. It observed that "the protection of the identity and dignity of a victim" in an offence under Sections 376 and 506 IPC "is of great importance," and that a person on bail "is required to strictly follow the conditions imposed by the Court and must not misuse the liberty granted to him."

Noting that the case concerned Dheer Singh's conduct after being released on bail rather than the allegations forming the original offence, the court held that its power under Section 483(2) of the BNSS was being invoked because of this alleged violation and the apprehension of interference with a fair trial.

Holding that Dheer Singh had misused the liberty of bail, the court cancelled his bail granted on September 1, 2025, and directed that he be taken into custody forthwith. The application was allowed and disposed of.

Case Title: Victim A vs. Dheer Singh and Others

Order Date: September 3, 2026

Bench: Justice Ratnesh Chandra Singh Bisen