1 2025:HHC:15441 IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA CrMP (M) No.  :   995 of 2025 Reserved on   :    20.05.2025 Decided on     : 23.05 .202 5 Vayuputra Anirudh Thotapalli …Applicant Versus State of Himachal Pradesh & Another …Respondents Coram The Hon’ble Mr. Justice Virender Singh,  Judge. Whether approved for reporting?1 For the applicant : Mr. Ajay   Kochhar,   Senior Advocate   with   Ms. Swati Sharma   &   Mr. Anubhav Chopra, Advocates. For the respondents     : Mr. Tejasvi Sharma, Additional Advocate   General   with   Mr. Rohit Sharma, Deputy Advocate   General,   assisted   by ASI   Suneet   Kumar,   Police Station Dharamshala, for respondent No.1. Complainant/respondent   No.2 through Video Conferencing. Virender Singh, Judge. Applicant­Vayuputra   Anirudh   Thotapalli,  has filed   the   present   application,   under   Section   483   of   the 1 Whether Reporters of local papers may be allowed to see the judgment? Yes. 2 2025:HHC:15441 Bharatiya   Nagarik   Suraksha   Sanhita,   2023   (hereinafter referred to as the 'BNSS'), with a prayer to release him on bail, during the pendency of the trial, arising out of FIR No.53   of   2025,   dated   25.03.2025,   registered,   under Sections   64(1)   and   69   of   the   Bharatiya   Nyaya   Sanhita, 2023   (hereinafter   referred   to   as   the   ‘BNS’),   with   Police Station Dharamshala, District Kangra, H.P. 2. According   to   the   applicant,   he   is   innocent person and has falsely been implicated by the police, in the present case. 3. As per the applicant, a zero FIR, was lodged by complainant/respondent   No.2,   which   was   initially registered   on   24.03.2025,   with   Narsingi   Police   Station, District Cyberabad Rangareddy, Telangana. Thereafter, the said application was registered with Police Station Narsingi Telangana, on the basis of the order passed by the learned Judicial   Magistrate   First   Class,   Cyberabad   at   Rajen Dranagar. 4. The applicant was arrested in the said FIR on 2.4.2025. According to him, he has nothing to do with the allegations levelled against him. Elaborating his stand, he 3 2025:HHC:15441 has further pleaded that the prosecutrix claimed to have met the applicant on a social media Bumble App, with the alleged   hope   of   finding   a   suitable   partner,   whereas, according   to   the   applicant,   Bumble   App   is   not   a matrimonial site. 5. All the allegations, according to the applicant, with  regard  to the sexual  abuse are stated to  be false. Respondent   No.2­prosecutrix   is   stated   to   be   a   matured lady,   aged   about   31   years   and   serving   in   a   private organization and also a solo traveller. 6. All   these   facts,   have   been   highlighted   to establish his case that it cannot be presumed from such a mature   and   working   lady,   without   verifying   complete credentials of the applicant, would submit her body for the alleged   acts,   as   mentioned,   in   the   complaint,   after consuming liquor in the very first meeting, that too within few hours. 7. Highlighting  the  inordinate  unexplained delay in lodging the FIR, a prayer has been made to release the applicant on bail, as, no useful purpose would be served by keeping   the   applicant   in   the   judicial   custody,   as,   the 4 2025:HHC:15441 chances of commencement and conclusion of the trial are not so bright. 8. The applicant has also tried his luck, by moving similar   application   before   the   learned   Sessions   Judge, Dharamshala, however, his application has been dismissed vide order dated 19.4.2025. 9. Apart   from   the   above,   Shri   Ajay   Kochhar, learned Senior Advocate assisted by Ms. Swati Sharma and Mr. Anubhav   Chopra,   Advocates,   has   given   certain undertakings, on behalf of the applicant, for which, the applicant   is   ready   to   abide   by,   in   case,   ordered   to   be released, on bail, during the pendency of the trial. 10. On the basis of the above facts, a prayer has been made to allow the applicant. 11. When   put   to   notice,   the   police   has   filed   the status report, disclosing therein, that Zero FIR No.04/25, dated 24.03.2025, under Section 64(1) of BNS, along with the complaint and Photostat copy of the statement of the prosecutrix was received in Police Station, Dharamshala, through   email   from  Narsingi   Police   Station,   District Cyberabad Rangareddy, Telangana. 5 2025:HHC:15441 11.1. As per the FIR received through email, since the crime in question had taken place within the jurisdiction of Police   Station   Dharamshala,   as   such,   the   same   was forwarded to the said Police Station. Contents of the same are reproduced as under:­ “Today   i.e.   on   24.03.2025   at   20:30   hours received a complaint from victim woman, which reads as follows. Brief facts of the case are that on   24.03.2025   at   20:30   hours   received   a complaint   from   victim   woman   In   which   she stated   that   she   is   31   years   old,   unmarried. working in a private organization, and residing in   Bangalore. though   she   is   a   native   of Davanagere, Karnataka. She created her profile on the networking app Bumble with the hope of finding a suitable life partner. The complainant states that one Thotapalli Vayuputra Anirudh, alias Ani (profile name), approached her through the   said   app   and   befriended   her   in   mid­ February   2025. They   were   in   sporadic   touch since February 14, 2025. She planned a solo trip to Dharamshala. Himachal Pradesh, from February   16,   2025,   to   March   4,   2025,   and booked   her   travel   and   accommodation accordingly, as  she   wanted  to  visit  Aghanjar Mahadev Temple on the eve of Mahashivratri. She   identifies   as   a   spiritual   person   and   a devotee   of   Lord   Shiva,   which   was   also described   in   her   Bumble   profile   initially, Anirudh claimed to have similar interests and stated that he was also a staunch follower of Lord   Shiva. They   discussed   spirituality   and yoga in the beginning. He appeared to be very knowledgeable, reciting Vedic scriptures about Lord   Shiva,   and   came   across   as   a   friendly person. The complainant was highly impressed with him. Gradually, he asked for her phone number,   which   she   shared   with   him   As 6 2025:HHC:15441 planned, she left for Dharamshala via Delhi on February   16,   2025. Anirudh   claimed   that   he was unmarried and looking for a life partner who shared similar spiritual interests. Further, to   impress   her   he   stated   that   he   owned businesses in the UK, was a director of multiple companies,   and   had   about   100   employees working under him in the U.K. He also claimed to   possess   vast   properties   in   Hyderabad Bangalore. Delhi, and other locations, asserting that he had everything a man could desire but was searching for a life partner with whom he could   relate   emotionally   and   spiritually Additionally   he   told   her   that   he   was mesmerized   by   her   voice. After   she   reached Dharamshala,   she   was   working   during   office hours, as she had the option of working from home,   while   also   enjoying   her   holiday   by visiting various sites and temples. On February 24, 2025, Anirudh started texting her, checking whether she had travelled to Dharamshala on a solo trip. When she confirmed that it was a solo trip,  he  expressed   his  desire   to   join  her and proceeded   to   book   his   air   tickets   to Dharamshala   along   with   accommodation through Airbnb After arriving in Dharamshala on   February   25,   2025,   he   invited   her   to   his Airbnb   accommodation   at   Oak   by   the   River, Dharamshala,   Kharota,   H.P.   176057,   which was   about   10   to   12   km   from   her   rented property. He asked whether she would like to drink, to which she declined, as it was their first meeting. On the same day, at around 4 PM, she reached his villa. Upon seeing her, he came close as if they had known each other for years, hugged   her,   and   kissed   her   forehead. He reminded   her   that   they   were   meeting   on   the occasion of Mahashivratri and suggested that their meeting at such a beautiful location and auspicious time was God's wish. He then gifted her the holy book "Mahagatha" of Lord Shiva Subsequently, he showed her his refrigerator, which   was   stocked   with   various   alcoholic beverages, and insisted that she drink. Despite 7 2025:HHC:15441 her refusals, he kept pressuring her. When she was in an inebriated state, he started making sexual advances. As she resisted, he assured her that he was going to marry her and took her to his bedroom, where he disrobed her and had sexual intercourse with her. He also attempted to   record   their   private   acts   The   following moming, when she  questioned  him  about  the recording, he denied having recorded anything but   refused   to   show   her   his   phone. He convinced   her   by   stating   that,   as   his   future wife, she should trust him rather than check his mobile. As she had come to his villa without any plans of an overnight stay, she left around 10 AM the next moming. Since it was Shivaratn, she requested him to accompany her to a Shiva temple   and   to   refrain   from   consuming   non­ vegetarian food. However upon reaching his flat on February 26. she found him eating a non­ vegetarian pizza She was disappointed that he did   not   accompany   her   to   the   temple. He explained   that   he   had   been   dealing   with   an emergency business issue, which caused him stress, leading him to eat non­vegetarian food. She believed him and avoided the temple visit. He then served her drinks again, which led her to stay with him that night as well On the night of   February   26,   he   once   again   had   sexual intercourse   with   her   under   the   pretext   of marriage. The next morning, on February 27, 2025, at around 7 AM, he informed her that he had to travel urgently to London for important work and left her at the villa before possibly departing for the airport. He asked her to stay at the villa until February 28, as the stay was booked until then. He also promised that after completing his work in the UK, he would return to Bangalore to meet her parents for a marmage alliance. The   complainant   submits   that   after leaving   her   on   February   28   Anirudh   started behaving as though he was traveling and busy with work. Believing this, she did not disturb him   much. His   behavio   continued   for   several more days, and whenever she tried to call or 8 2025:HHC:15441 speak to him, he kept saying he was busy or sleeping. This  made  her anxious  and  caused her   significant   emotional   distress. She   began feeling   cheated   and   betrayed,   which   affected her   ability   to   concentrate   on   work   and   other activities. Out of curiosity, she started searching for information about him online through various platforms. During their stay together, she had overheard him sharing his address over a call, which she remembered as Villa No 56. Poulami Aristos, Kokapet, in her online search, she came across   his   wedding   photos   under   tth   profile name "shutterink.ink" (a marriage photographer's profile) She contacted the owner Nithindangwal   who   confirmed   Anirudh's marriage. Upon   further   investigation,   she confirmed   that   Anirudh   was   marned   to   one Vidya   (profile:   vidya   yalagach)   She   found additional   wedding   photos   and   videos   by searching   Vidyas   name   on   Google. She   also verified that he was residing at Villa No. 56. Poulomi Aristos, Kokapet. Further attempts to reach him and his wife were unsuccessful, as neither   responced   to   her   calls   or   messages. Anirudh holds an Indian passport bearing No. 24839492 and frequently travels to the U.K. He had   shown   his   passport   to   her,   displaying multiple   immigration   stampings   Additionally, she   came   to   know   that   he   was   involved   in financial frauds by operating shell companies in the UK. Therefore, complainant has requested for   necessary   legal   action   against   Anirudh. Received on 24.03.2025 at 20:30 hours. As per the contents of the above complaint, Zero FIR in Cr. No   0­4/2025   U/s   64(1)   BNS   has   been registered and case file has been transferred to Dharamshala   Police   Station,   Kangra   Dist, Himachal   Pradesh   State   on   the   point   of Jurisdiction.” 12. On the basis of the above facts, FIR No. 53 of 2025, dated 25.3.2025, under Section 64(1) of the BNS was 9 2025:HHC:15441 registered   with   Police   Station   Dharamshala,   District Kangra and the criminal machinery swung into motion. 13. Thereafter, on 31.3.2025, the prosecutrix was associated in the investigation   of the case. Prosecutrix, along with lady police officers visited the spot i.e. Oak by the river Home & stay Kharota, where, she had identified the bed, where, on 25th and 26th February, 2025, applicant had raped her on the pretext of marriage. Thereafter, the requisite documents were taken into possession. Spot map was prepared, and photographs were clicked. 14. Supplementary   statement   of   the   prosecutrix, under Section 180 of the BNSS, was recorded, which was also photographed. In the supplementary status report, she has disclosed that her medico­legal examination had already been got conducted by the Narsingi Police Station, District Cyberabad, Telangana, on 25.03.2025. 15. It   is   the   further   case   of   the   police   that   on 1.4.2025,   the   statement   of   the   prosecutrix   was   got recorded, under Section 183 of the BNSS, by producing her before the Court of learned Judicial Magistrate First Class­ 10 2025:HHC:15441 I, Dharamshala and Section 69 of BNS was added, in this case. 16. On   1.4.2025,   the   police   team   was   sent   to search for the applicant at his native place in Telangana, where, he was found at his residential address and was arrested on 2.4.2025, at about 8.00 p.m. 17. Thereafter,   on   3.4.2025,   the   applicant   was taken to Zonal Hospital Dharamshala, where his medico­ legal   examination   was   gotconducted   and   the   physical evidence,   so   collected,   by   the   doctor   was   sent   to   RFSL Dharamshala for analysis. 18. On 2.4.2025, during investigation, it was found that when the prosecutrix, was medico­legally examined at Telangana and during her medico­legal examination, the physical evidence, so collected, by the doctor was handed over   to   the   Police,   which   was   sent   to   SFSL   Red   Hills Hyderabad, however, result of the same is still awaited. 19. In   this   case,   according   to   the   police,   the prosecutrix also got recorded that their private moments were   allegedly   recorded   by   the   applicant   and   when inquired,   the   applicant   has   denied   that   anything   was 11 2025:HHC:15441 recorded   by   him   and   he   had   also   refused   to   show   his mobile phone. 20. On 3.4.2025, he has handed over the mobile phone   to   the   Police   and   the   same   was   sent   to   RFSL, Dharamshala. Report of DNA profile has been received. Lastly, it has been pleaded that investigation is still going on. 21. In this case, the prosecutrix has also joined the proceedings on 14.5.2025, through video conferencing, at the time of hearing the matter. As per the stand taken by the prosecutrix, in this case, she has been raped by the applicant on the pretext of marriage and as per her further version,   when   the   marital   status   of   the   applicant   was ascertained, he was found to be married. 22. In this case, the applicant has annexed some documents   with   regard   to   Bumble   App. As   per   the documents, the said App is a dating App, whereas, the prosecutrix took a stand in the complaint that she, in order to find a suitable life partner, had created her profile on the Bumble  App. Thereafter, the  applicant  approached her through the App. 12 2025:HHC:15441 23. As   per   the   contents   of   the   complaint, reproduced above, it would be proved during the trial that the physical relation between the applicant and prosecutrix was   consensual   or   the   consent   of   the   prosecutrix   was obtained under the pretext of marriage. However, this fact, cannot   be   ignored   that   the   prosecutrix   travelled   from Telangana to Dharamshala, as a solo traveller and stayed with a person, whom, according to her, she had not met earlier   except   remaining   in   contact   with   each   other   at Bumble App. 24. The prosecutrix  has specifically mentioned in the complaint that it was their first meeting on 25.2.2025. Thereafter, on the insistence of a person, who met her for the   first   time,   whereas,   the   prosecutrix   budged   under pressure by the applicant to have alcoholic beverages and when she was in the alleged inebriated state, applicant allegedly raped her, that too, on the pretext of marriage. 25. The   prosecutrix,   thereafter,   took   about   one month to lodge the FIR, in question. Although, it is for the prosecutrix to explain the delay in lodging the FIR, during 13 2025:HHC:15441 trial, but, at the time of deciding the bail application, all these facts cannot be ignored. 26. In this case, neither the prosecution, nor, the complainant/prosecutrix could controvert the stand of the applicant qua the fact that Bumble App is a dating App. 27. Considering all these facts, this Court is of the view   that   the   applicant   cannot   be   kept   in   the   judicial custody  for indefinite period, as pre­trial punishment, is prohibited   under   the   law. The   investigation   is   almost complete. 28. In normal circumstances, detailed discussions of the evidence, so collected, by the prosecution or about the   defence,   which   has   been   taken,   by   the   applicant, should be avoided, as, it would cause prejudice to the case of   the   prosecution,   as   well   as,   to   that   of   the   accused. However, keeping in view the specific stand taken by the applicant,   qua   her   acquaintance   on   Bumble   App   and thereafter, coming to Dharamshala and staying with the applicant, cannot be ignored while deciding the question of bail. The Police is not able to make out a case for custodial interrogation. 14 2025:HHC:15441 29. Considering all these facts, this Court is of the view that the bail application is liable to be allowed and is accordingly allowed. The applicant is ordered to be released on   bail   in   case   FIR   No.53   of   2025,   dated   25.03.2025, registered, under Sections 64(1) and 69 of the BNS with Police Station, Dharamshala, District Kangra, H.P., on his furnishing personal bond, in the sum of Rs. 50,000/­, with two   sureties   of   the   like   amount,   to   the   satisfaction   of learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Dharamshala. 30. This order of release, however, shall be subject to the following conditions :­ “a)   Applicant   shall   join   the   investigation,   as   and when directed by the Police/I.O. to do so and shall   regularly   attend   the   trial  Court   on  each and every date  of  hearing and if prevented by any   reason   to   do   so,   seek   exemption   from appearance by filing appropriate application; b) Applicant shall not tamper with the prosecution evidence   nor   hamper   the   investigation   of   the case in   any   manner whatsoever; c)     Applicant shall not make any inducement, threat or promises to any person acquainted with the facts of   the case   so   as   to   dissuade them from disclosing such facts to the Court or the Police Officer; and d) Applicant shall not leave the territory of India without the prior permission of the Court.” 15 2025:HHC:15441 31. Any of the observations made herein above shall not be taken as an expression of opinion on the merits of the case as these observations are confined only to the disposal of the present bail applications. 32. It is made clear that the respondent­State is at liberty to move an appropriate application, in case, any of the   bail   conditions   is   found   to   be   violated   by   the   bail applicants/petitioners. 33. The Registry is directed to forward a soft copy of the bail order to the Superintendent of Jail, District & Air Correctional Home, Dharmashala, through e­mail, with a direction to enter the date of grant of bail in the e­prison software. 34. In case, the   applicants are not released within a period of seven   days   from   the   date   of   grant of bail, the Superintendent of Jail, District & Air Correctional Home, Dharmashala, is directed to inform this fact to the Secretary,   DLSA,   Dharamshala. The  Superintendent   of Jail, District & Air Correctional Home, Dharmashala,  is further directed that if the applicants fail to furnish the bail bonds, as per the order passed by this Court, within a 16 2025:HHC:15441 period of one month from today, then, the said fact be submitted to this Court. ( Virender Singh ) Judge May 23, 2025 ( ps ) Digitally signed by RAJNI Date: 2025.05.23 11:51:25 IST