1 week ago
Gujarat High Court Grants Bail in Marriage Bureau Fraud Case
Kavita Soni ran a marriage bureau with her husband in Gujarat.
A man’s family paid the bureau to help arrange a marriage for his nephew.
The nephew eventually married a different woman from the one originally expected.
The family alleged that the bureau collected Rs 5.10 lakh and that some money was not given to the bride’s parents.
Police accused Soni of offences including cheating and criminal breach of trust.
The court said this did not automatically make her part of a gang that tricks men into fake marriages and steals their valuables.
The investigation was finished, and prosecutors had filed a chargesheet.
Because there was no more evidence to recover and the trial could take time, the court released her on bail.
The allegations will still be examined during the trial.
The Gujarat High Court granted regular bail to marriage bureau operator Kavita Soni on August 25.
Soni and her husband allegedly ran the Himmatnagar-based Divya Shakti marriage bureau.
The prosecution alleged that Rs 5.10 lakh was collected, including brokerage and money meant for the bride’s family.
The court said the alleged marriage was real and found no basis to describe Soni as part of a “looteri dulhan gang.”
Bail was granted after the investigation and chargesheet were completed, with trial proceedings still pending.
- Who
- Kavita Soni, who allegedly operated the Divya Shakti marriage bureau with her husband Manhar, was granted bail in a case brought after a complaint involving the complainant’s nephew.
- What
- The Gujarat High Court granted Soni regular bail in an alleged marriage-bureau cheating and criminal breach of trust case, while rejecting the characterization that she was part of a “looteri dulhan gang.”
- Where
- The case was registered at Himmatnagar A Division police station in Sabarkantha district, and the bail order was issued by the Gujarat High Court.
- When
- The court passed the oral bail order on August 25; Soni had been in custody since March 27.
- Why
- The court cited the completed investigation, filed chargesheet, lack of further recovery, Soni’s custody as a woman, the presumption of innocence, and the expected delay before trial.
Defense and Bail Rationale
Prosecution’s Objections
Soni’s alleged role
Defense and Bail Rationale
Soni’s counsel argued that she was innocent and falsely implicated. The court said the allegations attributed to her a narrower role: promising or arranging the nephew’s marriage.
Prosecution’s Objections
The State argued that Soni was deeply involved in the alleged offence and should remain detained because of the seriousness of the allegations.
“Looteri dulhan” characterization
Defense and Bail Rationale
The court said the marriage was real, even though the nephew married a different woman, and found no material showing that Soni belonged to an organized “looteri dulhan gang.”
Prosecution’s Objections
The prosecution case involved allegations that money collected for the bride’s family was not paid, and the matter had acquired the appearance of a marriage-bureau fraud case.
Release before trial
Defense and Bail Rationale
The court noted that the investigation was complete, the chargesheet had been filed, nothing further needed to be recovered, and Soni remained presumed innocent.
Prosecution’s Objections
The State opposed bail and argued that Soni might flee from justice. The case will proceed to trial.
Key facts
- Accused
- Kavita Soni, operator of the Divya Shakti marriage bureau
- Co-operator
- Her husband, Manhar
- Alleged amount
- Rs 5.10 lakh, including Rs 2.10 lakh described as brokerage
- Police station
- Himmatnagar A Division police station, Sabarkantha district
- Relevant allegations
- Cheating and criminal breach of trust, among other offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
- Custody
- Soni had been in custody since March 27
- Bail terms
- Personal bond of Rs 25,000 and one surety for the same amount
Quotes
Gujarat High Court
The court, in its written bail order
“But, the marriage is real and (the accused) got the marriage done, even if it is with another woman, it is real… She is not a member of the looteri dulhan gang…”
indianexpress.com
“If we accept the said allegation as it is, the role of the applicant was limited to giving a promise or solemnising the marriage of the complainant’s nephew.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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