Nagpur: The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has rejected the anticipatory bail application of Prajwal Rajkumar Mate, who is accused of sexually exploiting a woman on the alleged false promise of marriage.
Justice M. M. Nerlikar passed the order on October 14, 2026, in Criminal Application No. 806/2026. The case was registered at Sitabuldi Police Station under Sections 64(2)(m) and 69 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Acquaintance Through Instagram
According to the prosecution’s case, the accused and the woman became acquainted through Instagram. The woman alleged that he established sexual relations with her on the promise of marriage, with such encounters allegedly occurring around 20 to 25 times.
The complaint further stated that the accused later began avoiding discussions about marriage, following which the woman consumed a poisonous substance. She survived after receiving medical treatment and subsequently informed her family about the alleged incidents.
Court Examines Chat Records
During the hearing, the defence argued that the relationship was consensual and that the accused had intended to marry the woman. The prosecution and the woman’s lawyers opposed the anticipatory bail plea.
After considering the available chat records, the First Information Report (FIR) and other material on record, the court observed that the chats did not indicate an intention on the accused’s part to marry the woman.
The court also observed that the allegations satisfied the necessary ingredients of Section 69 of the BNS at this stage. Finding no grounds to grant anticipatory bail, it rejected the application.
Further Legal Proceedings to Continue
The woman was represented by advocates Sumit Sunil Bokade and Deepak Khandait. Senior advocates Akshay Naik and K. S. Motwani appeared for the accused, while Additional Public Prosecutor S. N. Thakur represented the State.
The rejection of anticipatory bail does not determine the accused’s guilt. The allegations remain subject to the further criminal proceedings and adjudication in accordance with law.
