It also serves as a cautionary tale about the potential pitfalls of online matchmaking platforms.
The Bombay High Court has denied anticipatory bail to a man accused of marrying at least five women and engaging in fraudulent activities. This case highlights the complexities of matrimonial fraud and the legal system’s response to such allegations.
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The complainant, who met the accused, Shantilal Yashwant Kharat, in April 2022 through a matrimonial site, narrated a tale of deceit and betrayal. Within two months of their meeting, they were married. Post-marriage, the accused reportedly sought financial assistance from the complainant, leading her to provide him with Rs.7 lakhs. Additionally, he secured a loan of Rs.32 lakhs by pledging her ornaments.
However, the relationship soured when the complainant suspected Mr. Kharat of having an affair with a colleague, prompting her to return to her parental home in January 2023. It was then that she uncovered a shocking truth: Kharat had been married four times before their union, with his first wife having passed away.
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Based on these revelations, the police registered a case against Mr. Kharat under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code, including charges of cheating, bigamy, and criminal breach of trust.
In his defense, Kharat claimed to the Court that after the demise of his first wife, he had only married the complainant and no one else. However, the Court, upon examining the documents presented by the police, found irrefutable evidence against him. The Court noted,
“…there are two birth certificates in the year 2009 in respect of two girls in which mothers were different but the father is the applicant himself.”
This discovery was pivotal in establishing the deceitful nature of Kharat’s actions.
Furthermore, the Court considered documents related to divorce proceedings from 2008 and 2018 linked to the accused.
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The Court remarked, All this was concealed from the present first informant. Therefore, the offence of cheating is clearly made out apart from other offences,” thereby dismissing Kharat’s plea for anticipatory bail.
This case underscores the importance of thorough background checks and transparency in matrimonial alliances. It also serves as a cautionary tale about the potential pitfalls of online matchmaking platforms. The Bombay High Court’s decision in this matter sends a strong message against matrimonial fraud, reinforcing the legal system’s commitment to justice and the protection of individual right
