Bombay High Court grants bail to comedian accused of rape

The Bombay high court on Wednesday granted bail to stand up comedian Ibadul Rehman Khan, who was arrested for allegedly raping a married woman who was his fan.

The prosecution case is that a 30-year-old woman claimed that Khan had raped her at a two-star hotel in Vasai.

The FIR was first lodged at Santa Cruz police station on February 29, where the complainant stays. However, later the case was transferred to Waliv police as the crime had allegedly taken place in their jurisdiction. The Waliv police then arrested Khan who has been part of TV shows like Comedy Circus and Mad in India.

As per the complaint, the complainant was a fan of Khan’s so she sent him a friend request on social media and eventually they became friends.

Later, Khan allegedly took Rs 2 lakh as a loan from her, promising to return it soon but every time the complainant brought it up, he would avoid the conversation. However, Khan called her up a few months ago on the pretext of returning the money and asked her to meet him at a hotel in Vasai, where he allegedly raped her. Following the incident, she approached the police.

Khan’s lawyer R.B. Mokashi, seeking bail, argued before the court that the case of rape was not made out because as per complaint the woman went with the applicant willingly and the act was consensual. Mr Mokashi said the complainant was a major and a married woman and well aware of what she was doing.

After hearing arguments Justice Mirdula Bhatkar granted Khan bail on personal bond of Rs 15,000.