The Allahabad High Court rejected the bail application of Salman, a man accused of compelling his wife into prostitution under the pretext of marriage.
The order, passed by Justice Sanjay Kumar Singh, emphasized the severity of the charges, which went far beyond a mere marital dispute.
The allegations were brought to light by the victim's mother, who filed a First Information Report (FIR) on June 17, 2024. The complaint details that Salman married the victim in January 2024, after which he allegedly exploited her for illicit purposes.
The victim claimed that Salman confined her in a room with strangers, forcing her into non-consensual acts for financial gain. She further alleged that when she resisted, Salman subjected her to physical violence and threats of death.
The victim's family reported that on April 15, 2024, Salman, along with two accomplices, forcibly entered their home armed with weapons, attempting to abduct the victim. The family successfully rescued her with police assistance, leading to the registration of an FIR against Salman and his associates.
Salman faces several charges, including Sections 498-A, 323, 328, 376-D, 504, 506, and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), as well as violations under the Dowry Prohibition Act. He has been in judicial custody since August 25, 2024.
In his defense, Salman's counsel argued that the accusations stemmed from a marital dispute, pointing to the delay in filing the FIR as evidence of fabrication. The defense also highlighted that the victim’s family, after taking her away with police help following Eid, did not lodge a complaint immediately.
Contrastingly, the prosecution and the victim's legal team opposed the bail plea, citing the victim's statement under Section 164 of the CrPC, which outlined shocking instances of coercion, including being drugged and assaulted by Salman's associates. They asserted that the charges represented a systematic effort to degrade the victim’s dignity, violating her fundamental rights.
"A rapist not only cause physical injuries, but more indelibly leaves a blot on the most cherished possession of a women i.e. dignity, honour and reputation," he wrote.
In its ruling, the court noted the serious impact of the accusations, describing the alleged acts as a "severe blow" to the victim’s honor and dignity. Justice Singh emphasized that such offenses not only cause physical harm but also leave lasting psychological and emotional trauma, damaging the victim’s sense of self-worth.
In light of the grave nature of the charges and the potential punishment, the court found no grounds to grant bail. However, the judge made it clear that the observations made in the bail order would not affect the merits of the ongoing trial.
Case Title: Salman Vs. State of U.P
