On Friday, March 29, the Bharuch Sessions Court made a significant decision regarding the bail application of Adil Abdul Patel, who had been detained earlier this year in connection with a love jihad case. The court made the determination to reject Patel’s bail plea, emphasising the gravity of the situation. It cited substantial evidence suggesting that the accused had deceived a Hindu girl by misrepresenting his religious affiliation and marital status. Granting bail, the court cautioned, would convey a misguided message to society.
In its rationale for denying bail, the court underscored the broader societal implications of the case. It emphasised that the incident serves as a stark reminder for today’s youth about the dangers of blindly accepting social media friend requests without verifying the authenticity of the sender. This cautionary stance highlights the need for greater vigilance and discernment in online interactions.
The case first came to public attention in January 2024 when the Bharuch police in Gujarat apprehended Adil Abdul Patel, a resident of Chavaj village, on January 6th. Patel, operating under the alias ‘Arya Patel’, had allegedly ensnared a Hindu girl through a fabricated identity on Instagram.
Following a formal complaint against Adil Abdul Patel, the police swiftly launched an investigation, resulting in the filing of charges against him. The police pursued the accused diligently, culminating in his arrest three days later in Chavaj village. Subsequently, the Bharuch police compiled a comprehensive chargesheet, accusing Adil Abdul Patel of multiple offences, including impersonation, molestation, and blackmail under the guise of a Hindu identity.
On March 26, 2024, Adil submitted his initial bail application to the Bharuch Sessions Court, only to have it promptly dismissed by the court. Adil’s plea asserted that he was unjustly accused and thus warranted release on bail following the filing of the chargesheet.
During the hearing for the accused’s bail application, the Public Prosecutor vehemently opposed the request, providing intricate details of the case. The prosecutor revealed that Adil had orchestrated the creation of an Instagram profile under the fictitious identity of Arya Patel, through which he ensnared a Hindu girl in a romantic trap. Concealing his true marital status and religious background, Adil deceived the girl into believing he was an unmarried Hindu individual, sustaining a fraudulent relationship for four years.
Moreover, Adil Patel not only assumed a false Hindu identity but also manipulated the girl by fabricating stories to elicit sympathy. When questioned about his family, he falsely claimed that his parents had long passed away, exploiting the girl’s emotions for personal gain.
The prosecution emphasised the importance of considering the accused’s modus operandi, expressing concerns that releasing him on bail could result in the repetition of similar offences, potentially harming other vulnerable individuals. Additionally, it was argued that granting bail might lead to tampering with evidence, as both the accused and the victim hailed from the same village.
The prosecution firmly asserted that bail should be denied due to the gravity of the offence. It stressed the necessity of sending a clear message to society that such reprehensible acts cannot be condoned, thus advocating against the accused’s release on bail.
After hearing the arguments from both sides, the court stated, it would not be delving into the case’s merits or discussing the evidence at this point in time because those topics would anyway be covered during the trial. Having said that, it is evident from the evidence that the accused contacted the victim using a fictitious ID. Not only this, but the accused continued to identify himself as ‘Arya Patel’ instead of revealing his real name even when he met the victim in person.
“The accused had already been misleading the victim by concealing his religious identity. Above that, he proposed to her even though he was married and living with his wife,” the court noted, turning down the bail request.
“The two had never met previously, and the accused used a fictitious name to get in touch with the victim and was successful to some extent. Such behaviour ought to be denounced,” the court added.
The court said, “Given the modus operandi of the accused, if bail is granted, it will embolden such criminals and they would continue to exploit the girls by luring them under the grab of false promises. If he is acquitted, it will open the door for more criminals who are searching for ways to take advantage of helpless girls,” the court added.
The judge further stated, “In this case the accused has not only played with the sentiments of the victim but also wronged his wife.” The court noted the significance of the case, saying, “This case can be an eye-opener for today’s generation, who mindlessly accept requests on social media without knowing anything about the other person.”
The court denied the bail request after hearing arguments from both parties and taking into account the facts, the evidence, and the accused’s mode of operation
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