Court rejects producer Gaurang Doshi's bail plea

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday turned down the Anticipatory Bail Application (ABA) of film producer Gaurang Doshi.

Doshi moved the court after his first ABA was rejected by a Sessions Court on March 8. Doshi had sought anticipatory bail after his girlfriend Flora Saini lodged a complaint against him on February 15 with the Oshiwara Police alleging that he had assaulted her. She later accused him of trying to rape her.

Justice VK Tahilramani said though prima facie charges of rape cannot be substantiated, Saini’s medical examination reports of February 16 stated she had a fractured jaw which meant that the charge of 326 of IPC (intentionally causing grievous hurt) holds ground. His ABA was therefore rejected and he was given time till March 28 to surrender to the police.

On February 16, Saini filed an FIR, saying that on the night of Valentines Day, Doshi had assaulted her. However, on February 26, she gave a detailed statement to the police in which she claimed that Doshi had not only hit her with a cellphone, but also raped her.

Saini’s counsel VT Tulpule told court that Saini was Doshi’s second victim. He also assaulted his earlier wife and their divorce proceedings are underway. Doshi, clad in blue jeans and a white shirt, stood in a corner of courtroom 31 during the proceedings while Flora sat behind her counsel.