Gaurav Jaiswal vs. The State (NCT of Delhi)
Background
The applicant met the prosecutrix through a matrimonial website in October 2024 and allegedly promised to marry her, on which basis she says she was induced into a sexual relationship on multiple occasions between December 2024 and August 2025, including once after he allegedly blackmailed her with obscene photographs. Investigation revealed the applicant had created and operated nine different fake matrimonial profiles (including one posing as a woman) with widely varying ages and qualifications, and he had reportedly admitted in an audio recording to having similarly cheated other women.
Decision Breakdown
The Court noted that a matrimonial-website witness had already proved that all nine fake profiles were created by the applicant using his own phone number and email IDs, lending credence to the prosecution's characterisation of him as a "predator." The confessional audio recording, though not yet forensically analysed due to the earlier investigating officer's lapse, had now been sent for analysis after a new IO took over. Given the trial was nearing completion, with only the IO left to be examined, and the risk that the applicant might abscond or that more victims might come forward once the forensic report was ready, the Court declined to grant bail.
Lesson Learnt
Creating multiple fake identities to target victims, when independently verified through platform records, is treated as serious corroborating evidence of predatory intent in "false promise of marriage" cases and weighs heavily against bail, particularly when a trial is close to conclusion.