Allahabad HC grants bail to man accused of raping wife using anesthetic, says 'impossible to anesthetize woman against her will'

NEW DELHI: The Allahabad high court has granted bail to Ravindra Singh Rathaur, a man accused of raping a woman by allegedly rendering her unconscious with chloroform. Justice Krishan Pahal, leaning on medical expertise, cited that it is highly improbable for an inexperienced person to manage to anesthetize a sleeping individual without causing disturbance.
The court emphasized the principle of ‘Presumption of Innocence Unless Proven Guilty,’ referencing a Supreme Court decision.
“The story often published in the lay press of a woman having been rendered suddenly unconscious by a handkerchief soaked in chloroform held over her face and then raped is not to be believed,” the court stated.
Justice Pahal further referenced JP Modi's Medical Jurisprudence & Toxicology, stating that it is “impossible to anesthetize a woman against her will while she is awake.”
Rathaur was accused of establishing a physical relationship with the complainant after falsely marrying her in 2022. It was later revealed that he had hidden the fact of having two children from a previous marriage.
The complainant alleged Rathaur rendered her unconscious using chloroform and recorded videos of her private moments. She claimed he threatened to upload these videos online.
Justice Pahal emphasized the importance of the principle of 'Presumption of Innocence Unless Proven Guilty,' citing the Supreme Court's decision in Satender Kumar Antil Vs CBI.
The court concluded by affirming that a person's right to life and liberty, guaranteed by Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, cannot be compromised merely on the basis of an accusation until guilt is proven beyond a reasonable doubt.