SC grants bail to 23-year-old influencer in rape case, says charges false

The Supreme Court on Thursday (September 4, 2025) gave bail to a 23-year-old social medial influencer accused of raping a 40-year-old woman, noting that false and frivolous charges were imposed against him.

A Bench of Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Prashant Kumar Mishra said the complainant was not appearing despite issuance of notice. The top court also took note of the submission by the lawyer, appearing for the accused, that the relationship was consensual.

The apex court had earlier granted interim bail to the accused, noting that charges had not been framed even though he has been in jail for nine months. It had also said the woman was “not a baby” and “a single hand can’t clap”.

In scathing comments, the Bench had also asked how Delhi Police could file a rape case against the social media influencer, when the woman had gone voluntarily with him.

“A single hand can’t clap. On what basis have you filed case under Section 376 of IPC. She is not a baby. The woman is 40 years old. They have gone together to Jammu. Why have you invoked 376. This lady goes to Jammu seven times and the husband is not bothered,” the bench had observed.

The top court was hearing a plea filed by the social media influencer against an order of the Delhi High Court which declined to grant him bail considering the seriousness of the allegations.

According to the police complaint, the woman first came into contact with him in 2021 through social media while seeking an influencer to promote her clothing brand. During initial interactions, the accused allegedly requested an iPhone to enhance content creation, which she arranged through an authorised Apple Store in Jammu.

However, their professional relationship soured after the accused attempted to resell the device. The authorised seller returned the money in the account of the woman, but after deducting ₹20,000. Although he promised to return the money to the woman after a while decided to end all ties with him, the complaint stated.

In December 2021, the man visited the woman at her house in Noida to return the ₹20,000 and apologise. He subsequently persuaded her to travel for a brand shoot in Connaught Place. During the journey, the accused allegedly gave her sweets laced with intoxicants and she lost consciousness, the complaint stated.

Contrary to assurances that she would be taken to Hindu Rao Hospital, the man allegedly took her to a secluded area behind the hospital, sexually assaulted her, stole money from her purse, and captured her nude photographs, the woman had alleged.

Thereafter, the woman was allegedly coerced into travelling to Jammu where she was subjected to continued sexual abuse, extortion, and threats over a two-and-a-half-year period, according to the complaint.

An FIR was registered under Sections 376 (rape), 354 (assault on woman), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 506 (criminal intimidation), 509 (insulting the modesty of a woman) and 34 of the Indian Penal Code.