Early Times Report
JAMMU, Aug 21: The Fast Track Court Jammu, presided over by Judge Amarjeet Singh Langeh, has dismissed the bail application of 29-year-old Zohaib Bhatti, who is facing serious charges of rape, blackmail, and criminal intimidation.
Bhatti, a resident of Patel Bazar, Jammu, is booked in FIR No. 83/2025 at Bakshi Nagar Police Station under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The victim, an employee of a private firm, alleged that Bhatti trapped her by posing as a brotherly figure, took her to Katra in March 2024, and raped her in a hotel. She further alleged that he blackmailed her with threats of spreading a "false video" and subjected her to repeated sexual exploitation till July 2025.
Investigations revealed that Bhatti also threatened the woman and her family with a 12-bore gun and sent abusive voice messages to her, creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.
Rejecting the defence plea that the FIR was a product of family pressure and that the relations were consensual, the Court held that the allegations were grave, heinous, and supported by prima facie evidence.
Judge Langeh observed that granting bail at this stage would "embolden the accused and give him a premium to wield his wrath against the victim." The Court further noted that the investigation is still in progress and releasing the accused could hamper proceedings.
Accordingly, the bail plea was rejected, with the Court clarifying that the findings were limited to the bail stage and would not affect the outcome of trial.
(JNF) |
