The Gujarat High Court has quashed rape charges against a man who was allegedly honey-trapped by a woman who later extorted money from him. The case, originating from Surat's Dumas police station, involved an FIR filed in 2021 against Manoj Vasoya by a 38-year-old married woman who ran a beauty parlour.
Background of the Case
The woman claimed that Vasoya contacted her on Facebook in January 2019, met her multiple times, and subjected her to sexual exploitation, threats, and coercion over an extended period. Based on her complaint, Vasoya was booked for rape, criminal intimidation, and abetment. However, Vasoya denied the allegations and sought quashing of the FIR, arguing that the relationship was consensual.
Allegations of Blackmail
Vasoya submitted that the woman had recorded a video of their physical relations and later demanded money and ornaments, amounting to blackmail. He provided call transcripts and highlighted a prior police complaint against the woman for allegedly extorting Rs 60 lakh from him. The state government opposed the quashing petition, citing forensic evidence and the woman's statement recorded under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Court's Observations
Justice M K Thakkar, after reviewing the sequence of events, noted that repeated meetings and the complainant's conduct indicated consensual relations. The court observed, "On referring to the above provisions and the facts of the present case, it emerges that this is a case of honey trap and not, in any manner, a case of rape. Keeping the video on, indulging in physical relations, sending friend request, time and again accompanying the applicant is nothing but consensual relations made by the complainant, which was subsequently used to extort the money. In that background, the applicant cannot be sent for the trial for false allegations."
Conclusion
The High Court quashed the FIR, ruling that the allegations were false and the case was a clear instance of a honey trap aimed at extortion. The judgment underscores the importance of examining the context and conduct of parties in such cases to prevent misuse of legal provisions.
