Live-In ‘Agreement’ Enables Mumbai Man to Get Anticipatory Bail in Rape Case

Mumbai: A rape accused was granted anticipatory bail by the Mumbai sessions court as the accused presented evidence of a consensual relationship with the complainant.

The accused produced a notarized agreement that outlined the terms of a live-in relationship between the two parties, before the court during the hearing of a case of sexual assault registered with the Colaba police station.

The agreement, dated August 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, included seven points that the accused argued demonstrated mutual consent.

The agreement document stated that the relationship was consensual and that the complainant would not make any allegations of sexual misconduct without consent.

However, the complainant disputed the authenticity of the agreement, alleging that she had not signed it.

Despite her denial, the court considered the document as evidence during the proceedings and observed that there was no indication of force or coercion in the initial stages of the relationship.

The court pointed at the delay in filing the FIR as another factor in its decision, noting that the relationship allegedly began in October 2023, yet no complaint was made until much later.

The court granted the accused anticipatory bail, setting the bail amount at Rs 25,000 with a solvent surety of the same amount.