Supreme Court Grants Bail to Punjab Man Accused of Rape Amid Allegations of Police Bias

In a recent decision, the Supreme Court granted bail to a Punjab resident accused of rape and allegedly leveraging his connections with imprisoned gangster Lawrence Bishnoi to threaten the complainant. The case has garnered significant attention, with allegations of misconduct involving a senior police officer adding complexity to the matter.

According to a report by The Indian Express, the accused claimed in his bail petition that he had been in a live-in relationship with the complainant. However, the complainant later entered into a relationship with a superintendent-level officer in the Punjab Police. The petition alleges that the officer misused his position to implicate the accused in a fabricated case of rape and criminal intimidation.

As evidence, the accused submitted purported WhatsApp chats and a call recording between the complainant and the senior police officer. His lawyer, R.K. Grewal, argued that there was no credible evidence linking his client to the alleged threats made in the name of Lawrence Bishnoi. Grewal further contended that the complainant's accusations were orchestrated under the influence of the officer, who purportedly sought to disrupt her prior relationship with the petitioner.

“The false implication is evident from the WhatsApp chats and video recordings provided. The officer's personal relationship with the complainant appears to have motivated this malicious prosecution,” Grewal asserted.

The incident also coincides with a separate case in Mumbai, where an unidentified caller reportedly threatened an ambulance operator, invoking Lawrence Bishnoi's name. While unrelated, the mention of Bishnoi underscores the pervasive influence of his name in various criminal cases.

The Supreme Court’s decision to grant bail highlights the need for a thorough and impartial investigation into the matter, ensuring justice for all parties involved.