Thane Court Grants Anticipatory Bail to Shiv Sena Leader and Family in Domestic Violence Case

Court Decision on Anticipatory Bail

A Thane session court in Maharashtra has granted anticipatory bail to Vinayak Raut, a leader of Shiv Sena (UBT), his son Gitesh, and three other family members. This decision comes in response to a case filed under domestic violence and the Maharashtra Anti-Black Magic Act. The complaint was lodged at the Kapoorwadi police station by Girija Raut, the wife of Gitesh Raut.

In her complaint, Girija accused her husband and in-laws of severe physical and mental harassment, marital abuse, and torture. She also alleged that she was forced into activities related to black magic, violating the Maharashtra Anti-Black Magic Act.

On Friday, Additional Sessions Judge S.P. Agarwal accepted the anticipatory bail plea filed by Vinayak Raut, Gitesh, his wife Shamal, and co-accused Surekha Rajesh Sarfare and Rajesh Narayan Sarfare. Following Girija's complaint, a case was registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Maharashtra Prevention of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman, Evil, and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Eradication Act, 2013. The court noted that while Girija claimed that superstitious activities occurred between 2018 and 2022, she did not file any complaints during those four years.

The court further stated that the allegations do not prima facie fall under the category of serious 'Aghori' practices prohibited by the Maharashtra Anti-Black Magic Act, which includes severe physical assault or bodily harm. It concluded that there was no need for custodial interrogation of the accused, as four out of the five had no prior criminal records and were unlikely to evade justice. The court ordered that each of the five accused be granted bail on a personal bond of ₹25,000 and one or two sureties of the same amount.

Additionally, the court instructed Gitesh Raut to report to the Kapoorwadi police station every Friday between 7 PM and 8 PM until the final report is filed. The other co-accused were also directed to appear at the police station when summoned by the investigating officer.