Archive · 8 Aug 2026
Court Grants Pre-Arrest Bail to Ex-MP Vinayak Raut, Kin
A man named Vinayak Raut used to be a member of parliament in India.
A court in Thane, Maharashtra, gave him and some family members good news.
The court said they could not be arrested right away.
This is called pre-arrest bail.
His son's wife, Girija, had complained to the police about them.
She said they hurt her and made her take part in strange rituals.
These rituals are against a special anti-black magic law in Maharashtra.
The police registered a case after her complaint.
But the judge noticed that Girija said the rituals happened from 2018 to 2022, yet she never complained during those four years.
Because of this, the judge decided the family members would not be jailed before the case is fully heard.
A Thane sessions court granted pre-arrest bail to former MP and Shiv Sena-UBT leader Vinayak Raut, his son Gitesh, and three other family members.
The case stems from a complaint filed by Girija Raut, Vinayak Raut's daughter-in-law and Gitesh's wife.
Girija alleged severe physical and mental harassment, marital misconduct, torture, and forcible involvement in occult rituals.
Additional Sessions Judge S P Agarwal granted bail to Vinayak Raut, Gitesh, wife Shamal, Surekha Rajesh Sarphare, and Rajesh Narayan Sarfare.
The judge noted that while Girija alleged rituals took place between 2018 and 2022, she had not lodged any complaint during those four years.
- Who
- Former MP and Shiv Sena-UBT leader Vinayak Raut, his son Gitesh Raut, wife Shamal, and relatives Surekha Rajesh Sarphare and Rajesh Narayan Sarfare; complainant Girija Raut.
- What
- A sessions court granted pre-arrest bail in a domestic violence and anti-black magic case registered against the Raut family.
- When
- On Friday (exact date not specified); the alleged rituals reportedly took place between 2018 and 2022.
- Where
- Thane, Maharashtra, India; the case was registered at Kapurbawdi police station.
- Why
- The bail was sought after Girija Raut alleged physical and mental harassment, marital misconduct, torture, and forcible participation in occult rituals.
- Accused
- Vinayak Raut, Gitesh Raut, Shamal Raut, Surekha Rajesh Sarphare, Rajesh Narayan Sarfare
- Complainant
- Girija Raut (daughter-in-law of Vinayak Raut)
- Court
- Sessions court, Thane (Additional Sessions Judge S P Agarwal)
- Police Station
- Kapurbawdi police station, Thane
- Key Laws
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita; Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013
- Relief Granted
- Anticipatory (pre-arrest) bail
- Allegation Period
- 2018 to 2022
- Allegations
- Physical/mental harassment, marital misconduct, torture, forcible involvement in occult rituals