Pune: The court of additional sessions judge SS Nair on Wednesday granted bail to two co-accused, including a lawyer, in a case of alleged sexual exploitation over a period of five years from 2020 of a woman (27) from Bhutan by at least 11 men .The prosecution said the woman came to India in 2020 in search of employment. She later began to reside with the main accused, who arranged accommodation and offered her a job. The woman alleged in her complaint lodged with the Samarth police on April 8, 2025, that the main accused established physical relations with her without her consent.In the FIR, she alleged that the main accused would frequently call his friends to his residence for parties where alcohol was consumed. She claimed that his friends, including the two co-accused who were granted bail on Wednesday, sexually exploited her on many occasions. She further alleged that she was threatened with consequences if she disclosed the incidents. As per court records, a total of 11 accused are facing trial on charges of rape, repeated rape of the same woman, sexual harassment, molestation, criminal intimidation and offences under common intention.The prosecution opposed the bail application, citing the seriousness of the allegations, statements recorded during investigation and material collected by the police. The defence denied the allegations and submitted that the investigation was complete and that the specific role attributed to the applicants was limited. The defence also invoked the principle of parity, pointing out that four co-accused had earlier been granted bail by the high court and the sessions court.In his order, Nair said, “All the documents and submissions made by both sides have been considered. It appears the victim was sexually assaulted by several people from 2020 till the filing of the FIR. However, during this period, she did not approach the police or raise any objection. She also continued to attend gatherings organised by accused no. 1. At this stage, the circumstances do not indicate use of force by the present applicants.““Further, other accused with a similar role have already got bail. On the ground of parity, the present applicants are also entitled bail,” the court observed. The woman has since returned to her native place and the police have filed a chargesheet in the matter.
