The lawyer faced accusations of threatening to disseminate an intimate video of his wife and forcibly attempting to convert her to Islam.
On Friday, the Supreme Court granted bail to an attorney accused of allegedly outraging his wife’s modesty and coercing her into converting to Islam [Bhurekhan @ Akramkhan Ganikhan Pathan vs State of Gujarat].
A bench comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan noted that the complainant-wife had implicated the entire family of the accused in her criminal complaint. After a thorough review of the case details, the court approved the bail application.
“In light of the circumstances, the appellant is eligible for bail.” The appellant is required to appear before the Trial Court within a week from today. “The Trial Court shall grant bail to the appellant under appropriate terms and conditions,” the bench ordered.
The bench heard an appeal challenging the denial of bail by the Gujarat High Court in September 2023. Following the High Court’s affirmation of the trial court’s decision, the appellant filed an appeal with the Supreme Court.
The allegations included attempts by the appellant to convert his wife to Islam and threats of releasing an intimate video. The High Court found sufficient evidence to establish a prima facie criminal case and suspected tampering with evidence, leading to the denial of bail.
However, the Supreme Court allowed the appeal against the High Court’s decision.
The accused was represented by lawyers Mohd Yasin, Shariq Nisar, Yashovardhan Oza, Md Tanvir, Bilal Kagzi, Suyash Tripathi, Yamin Bisht, and Anas Tanwir.
Attorneys Devyani Bhatt, Deepanwita Priyanka, and Swati Ghildiyal represented the Gujarat government.
