The Delhi High Court has denied anticipatory bail to a man accused of raping and brutally assaulting a 17-year-old girl, firmly rejecting his claim that their friendship implied a consensual relationship. In a ruling on October 17, 2025, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma emphasized that friendship does not grant a "licence to rape, confine, or beat" a victim, as alleged in the case filed under the Prevention of Child from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The accused, who has evaded investigation despite multiple prior bail rejections, faces serious charges corroborated by medical evidence.

According to the FIR, the minor complainant, who knew the accused for years as a neighbor, alleged that he took her to a friend’s house where he repeatedly sexually assaulted and beat her, threatening her life if she disclosed the incident. The accused sought bail, arguing an 11-day delay in filing the FIR suggested consent. Justice Sharma dismissed this, noting that the delay was likely due to the victim’s fear and trauma, which deterred her from immediately reporting the incident to her parents.

The court’s order highlighted the gravity of the allegations, supported by the complainant’s statement and medical records, which detailed the physical and sexual violence inflicted. Justice Sharma underscored that the accused’s claim of a consensual relationship held no merit, given the prima facie evidence of coercion and brutality. The ruling reflects the court’s commitment to protecting victims of sexual violence, particularly minors, under the POCSO Act.

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In dismissing the bail application, the court noted the accused’s failure to cooperate with the investigation, having withdrawn or been denied bail on four previous occasions. The decision sends a strong message that claims of familiarity or friendship cannot justify heinous crimes, reinforcing the judiciary’s stance against sexual violence and ensuring accountability in such cases.

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