HC grants interim anticipatory bail to Mumbai journalist accused of rape

The Delhi High Court on Friday granted interim protection from arrest to the Mumbai-based journalist, Varun Hiremath, who has been accused of rape by a woman, reported PTI. Hiremath had approached the court after his earlier anticipatory bail plea was dismissed by a trial court here in March.

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“Petitioner be not arrested till the next date of hearing subject to him joining the investigation as and when directed,” the high court said in its order.

Justice Mukta Gupta has also issued notices and sought responses of the Delhi Police and the complainant, regarding the journalist’s plea seeking anticipatory bail.

The matter will be heard on April 16. 

The 22-year-old woman has accused Hiremath of raping her at a five-star hotel in Chanakyapuri on February 20.

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The journalist’s lawyer, however, claimed before the court that that there had been a history of previous sexual relationship between the accused and the complainant.