Ahmedabad Court Rejects Bail of Man Accused of Using Hindu Identity to Lure Women, Record Intimate Videos and Extort Money
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An Ahmedabad Sessions Court has rejected the bail application of Karim Sepoy, who is accused of posing as a Hindu man on a matrimonial website to lure women into relationships, record intimate videos and extort money by threatening to make the footage public.
A case was registered against Sepoy at Ahmedabad's West Women's Police Station this year following allegations that he used the fictitious identity of Aditya Patel on the Jeevansathi matrimonial website.
According to the complaint, the accused gained the trust of the complainant and other women by posing as a Hindu man and promising marriage. He allegedly established physical relationships with them before recording videos during their intimate encounters.
He later allegedly threatened to circulate the videos on social media unless the women paid him money. The complainant claimed that he extorted ₹15,000 through online transfers and cash payments.
Accused Allegedly Used Fake Identity on Instagram Too
The investigation reportedly revealed that Sepoy had also used a false Hindu identity on his Instagram account to befriend other women.
The prosecution argued that the accused had a pattern of targeting women by concealing his identity, gaining their trust and subsequently blackmailing them.
Defence Cites Three-Year Delay in Complaint
Seeking bail, the accused claimed that he was innocent and had been falsely implicated. His lawyer argued that the complaint was filed after a delay of three years, raising doubts about the allegations.
The defence also submitted that the investigation had been completed, the charge sheet had been filed and the accused was in judicial custody. He assured the court that he would comply with all conditions imposed if granted bail.
Prosecution Opposes Bail, Cites Two Other Cases
Public Prosecutor Sudhir Brahmbhatt opposed the bail application, stating that serious provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act had been invoked against the accused.
He also informed the court that two other criminal cases had been registered against Sepoy. Describing him as a habitual offender, the prosecution argued that his release could lead to further offences against women.
The prosecutor urged the court to reject bail, citing the seriousness of the allegations and the accused's criminal history.
Court Says Bail Not Justified Given Seriousness of Allegations
After hearing both sides, Additional Sessions Judge V.A. Dhaghal examined the investigating officer's affidavit, charge sheet, supporting documents and arguments presented by the parties.
The court observed that the material on record indicated that the accused appeared accustomed to luring women, concealing his identity, blackmailing them and extorting money.
The judge stressed the need to ensure that perpetrators of such serious offences fear the consequences of the law rather than assume they can easily secure bail.
Considering the gravity of the alleged offences, the prescribed punishment and the accused's previous criminal cases, the court concluded that granting bail was not justified and rejected his application.
