Court grants pre-arrest bail to ex-MP Vinayak Raut in case filed by daughter-in-law

The complaint was filed by the daughter-in-law of former MP Vinayak Raut against her husband and in-laws, alleging harassment, torture and forced participation in occult rituals. The court said custodial interrogation was not warranted and that the alleged rituals did not prima facie meet the law's threshold.

In Short

• Judge said custodial interrogation was unnecessary at the present investigation stage
• Complainant Girija Raut alleged physical abuse, torture and occult rituals
• The alleged rituals were said to span from 2018 to 2022

A sessions court in Maharashtra's Thane has granted anticipatory bail to former MP and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Vinayak Raut, his son Gitesh and three other family members in a case involving allegations of domestic violence and black magic. The case was registered at Kapurbawdi police station following a complaint by Girija Raut, Gitesh's wife and Vinayak Raut's daughter-in-law.

In her complaint, Girija accused her husband and in-laws of physical and mental harassment, marital misconduct and torture. She also alleged that she was forcibly made to participate in occult rituals, invoking provisions of the Maharashtra Anti-Black Magic Act.

Additional Sessions Judge SP Agarwal on Friday allowed the anticipatory bail applications filed by Vinayak Raut, Gitesh Raut, his wife Shamal, Surekha Rajesh Sarphare and Rajesh Narayan Sarfare.

The police case was registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013.

While granting relief, the court noted that although Girija alleged that superstitious rituals had taken place between 2018 and 2022, she had not approached the police during that period.

The court also observed that the allegations, on a prima facie assessment, did not meet the threshold for prohibited "Aghori" practices under the 2013 anti-black magic law, which covers acts involving severe physical assault or bodily harm.

The judge held that custodial interrogation was not necessary, noting the absence of relevant criminal antecedents for four of the applicants and finding no significant risk of them fleeing from justice.

The court directed that if arrested, all five accused be released on a personal bond of Rs 25,000 each, along with one or two sureties of the same amount.

As part of the bail conditions, Gitesh Raut was directed to report to Kapurbawdi police station every Friday between 7 pm and 8 pm until the final report is filed. The other accused were asked to appear before the investigating officer whenever required.

- Ends