Udaipur: The accused in the much-discussed alleged video case, known as the ‘Udaipur Files’ and linked to a BJP woman leader, has been granted bail by the Jodhpur High Court. A bench of Justice Sandeep Shah ordered the accused to be released on a personal bond of ₹50,000 and two sureties of ₹25,000 each.
The accused has been in jail for around seven months. Following the court’s order, he is expected to be released from jail on Wednesday.
During the hearing of the bail petition, the defence sought bail on the basis of the initial complaint, subsequent statements and the recovery of electronic devices by the police.
While considering the case records, the High Court found several aspects relevant at the bail stage. The defence argued that some serious allegations that emerged later were not mentioned in the initial complaint.
According to the defence, the scope of the allegations expanded in statements subsequently given to the police, with allegations including extortion also being added. The court considered the difference between the initial complaint and subsequent statements as a factor relevant for deciding the bail plea.
However, the court made it clear that observations made while granting bail would not amount to a final decision on the merits of the case or its trial.
The police had seized electronic material in the case, including a mobile phone and a memory card from a spy camera.
The defence argued before the court that examination of these devices did not reveal material supporting the allegations made in the complaint. According to the defence, the video material recovered from the devices showed circumstances different from those described in the complaint.
The court also took into consideration the difference between the material recovered from the electronic devices and the allegations made in the complaint while examining the bail plea.
The High Court also noted that the police had already filed the chargesheet in the case and that the accused, Vishal Gurjar, had been in judicial custody for around seven months.
The court observed that the complete trial and its conclusion could still take time. Considering these circumstances at the bail stage, the accused was granted relief.
The case was registered at Bhupalpura police station on February 11 this year on the complaint of the woman leader.
In her complaint, the woman alleged that the accused called her to his office and gave her a drink after mixing a sedative substance in it, and then took advantage of her condition.
She further alleged that the accused made an objectionable recording of her and later put pressure on her by threatening to make the recording public.
After the case was registered, the police arrested the accused and began an investigation. During the investigation, electronic evidence, including a mobile phone and the memory card of a spy camera, was collected. The police later filed a chargesheet in the case.
The accused had also received bail from the High Court around 25 days earlier in another cheating case. With the High Court now granting him relief in the alleged video case as well, his release from jail has become possible.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.