Allahabad HC grants bail to accused in alleged rape case, says complainant "invited trouble"
Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court has granted bail to a man accused of raping a woman he met at a bar in Delhi, while controversially remarking that the victim "invited trouble" and was "responsible" for the incident.
Justice Sanjay Kumar Singh made these observations while hearing the bail application of Nischal Chandak, who was arrested in December 2024 in connection with an alleged rape reported in Noida.
The incident dates back to September 2024. The complainant, a postgraduate student from a reputed Noida-based university, had visited a bar in Hauz Khas, Delhi, with her friends. According to her police complaint, she consumed alcohol and became intoxicated. She alleged that the accused insisted she accompany him to his house to rest, but instead took her to a relative’s flat in Gurgaon, where he raped her.
The accused denied the charges, claiming that the woman voluntarily agreed to accompany him and that their encounter was consensual.
While granting bail, Justice Singh stated: “Even if the allegation of the victim is accepted as true, then it can also be concluded that she herself invited trouble and was also responsible for the same. Similar stand has been taken by the victim in her statement.”
The Court also noted that her medical report showed a torn hymen but did not offer a definitive opinion on sexual assault.
Highlighting the woman’s educational background, the Court observed: “She is a postgraduate student and was thus competent enough to understand the morality and significance of her act.”
Based on the evidence, nature of the offence, and arguments presented, the Court deemed the case fit for bail and allowed the application.
Senior Advocate Vinay Saran, along with Advocate Balbir Singh, represented the accused in the matter.
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Sena (UBT)-MNS alliance announcement for civic polls likely next week
Mumbai (PTI): The Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) are likely to announce next week their alliance for the upcoming municipal corporation elections in Maharashtra, with seat-sharing for all the civic bodies, except Mumbai, almost complete, leaders of both the parties said.
Elections to 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra, including the all-important Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), will be held on January 15, and the counting of votes will take place the next day.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) and the MNS will forge an alliance for the polls in municipal corporations of Mumbai, Thane, Mira-Bhayandar, Kalyan-Dombivli, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune and Nashik, among others.
The Sena (UBT) is headed by former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, while his once-estranged cousin Raj is the president of the MNS.
"Talks for all civic bodies, except Mumbai, are complete. The sticking point is about the seats that we are demanding in Marathi-dominated areas. The Shiv Sena (UBT) is not still not agreeing to it which has delayed the seat-sharing. But the talks have to be over soon since the date of filing nominations starts next week (December 23 to December 30)," an MNS leader said.
Talking to reporters, MNS leader and former MLA Nitin Sardesai said, "It is appropriate to say that the talks are in final stages but it is difficult to say when it will be officially announced. I can only say that all sides are putting efforts to complete the talks and they are working towards it."
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Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anil Parab met Raj Thackeray to discuss seat-sharing.
A Sena (UBT) leader said talks are in final stages and there is no hurdle in the seat-sharing agreement.
"The two brothers are expected to officially announce the alliance between the two parties on Monday in a public event or through a press conference that will set the tone for the civic body polls," he said.
Raj Thackeray quit the undivided Shiv Sena blaming Uddhav for his exit in 2005 and floated the MNS in 2006. They had been political rivals since then.
However, after the drubbing of their parties in the Maharashtra assembly polls in 2024 - the Sena (UBT) won 20 seats, while MNS drew a blank - both leaders decided to put behind their political acrimony and find a common ground for survival.
Over the past few months, the two cousins shared the stage or were spotted at public forums together multiple times for various reasons.
The cousins publicly ended their two-decade-long estrangement in July, where they addressed a joint rally. At the event, Uddhav said they have come together to stay together.
