Delhi High Court: Gaurav Jaiswal Bail Denied Over Fake Matrimonial Profiles

• The Delhi High Court denied bail to Gaurav Jaiswal, accused of creating nine fake matrimonial profiles to induce women into sexual relations.
• Justice Girish Kathpalia observed that Jaiswal is prima facie a "predator of innocent girls" due to the varied nature of his fabricated online identities.
• One complainant reported meeting Jaiswal in 2024, engaging in sexual acts under false marriage promises, and later being threatened with intimate picture leaks to demand more sex, including a threesome.
• The accused's counsel argued the complainant was a "grown-up lady" and could not have been induced, but the court found the prosecution's arguments more compelling.
• The ruling highlights a strict judicial stance against online matrimonial fraud leading to sexual exploitation and intimidation.

This ruling signals a strict judicial approach to bail applications in cases involving serial sexual offenses facilitated by online matrimonial fraud, indicating a high bar for defense lawyers seeking bail for clients accused of similar predatory behavior, even when arguing consent based on the complainant's age.

The Delhi High Court recently rejected a bail application from Gaurav Jaiswal, who stands accused of orchestrating a scheme involving multiple fake profiles on matrimonial websites to exploit women. The court's decision, delivered on September 22 by Justice Girish Kathpalia in the case of Gaurav Jaiswal Vs The State, underscores a firm judicial stance against individuals alleged to be preying on unsuspecting victims through online platforms.

Jaiswal faces serious allegations of creating at least nine fabricated profiles across matrimonial sites, some featuring diverse personal and professional details, including one impersonating a female. These profiles were reportedly used to initiate contact with women, subsequently luring them into sexual relationships under the false pretense of marriage. The court's observations highlighted the systematic nature of these alleged deceptions.

One specific complainant recounted meeting Jaiswal through a matrimonial website in 2024. After establishing a relationship, Jaiswal allegedly engaged in sexual relations with her based on a false promise of marriage. Following this, the accused reportedly escalated his demands, threatening to disseminate intimate pictures of the woman if she did not comply with further sexual acts, including a demand for a threesome. The complainant ultimately lodged a police report in 2025 detailing these harrowing experiences.

In his defense, Jaiswal's counsel argued that the complainant, being a "grown-up lady," could not have been genuinely induced into sexual relations solely by a false matrimonial promise. However, the court's assessment of the evidence, particularly the extensive network of fake profiles with varied ages, qualifications, and occupations, led to a different conclusion regarding the accused's intent and methods.

Justice Girish Kathpalia, in the September 22 verdict, concurred with the prosecution's assertion that Gaurav Jaiswal is, prima facie, a "predator of innocent girls." This characterization was directly linked to the sophisticated nature of the fake profiles, which the court noted were designed to appeal to a wide range of potential victims. The varied details across the nine profiles, including one created in a girl's name, lent significant credence to the argument that the accused engaged in predatory behavior.

This ruling signals a strict judicial approach to bail applications in cases involving serial sexual offenses facilitated by online matrimonial fraud, indicating a high bar for defense lawyers seeking bail for clients accused of similar predatory behavior, even when arguing consent based on the complainant's age. The court's decision emphasizes the gravity of offenses perpetrated through digital deception, particularly when they involve the exploitation and intimidation of individuals under false pretenses of marriage.

This ruling signals a strict judicial approach to bail applications in cases involving serial sexual offenses facilitated by online matrimonial fraud, indicating a high bar for defense lawyers seeking bail for clients accused of similar predatory behavior, even when arguing consent based on the complainant's age.

Source: Original reporting via Bar and Bench