'Looteri Dulhan' Case: Gujarat High Court Grants Bail To Marriage Bureau Owner, Notes No Role In Alleged Gang

Update: 2026-08-27 05:30 GMT

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The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday (August 25) granted bail to a woman running a marriage bureau booked in a cheating and criminal breach of trust FIR, noting that her role was limited to solemnizing marriage of complainant's nephew and no role was attributed to her being part of the "Looteri Dulhan gang". [2026 LiveLaw (Guj) 231]

For context, the term refers to an organized criminal network which allegedly tricks men into fake marriages to rob them of their money.

The FIR was lodged under Sections 316(2)(criminal breach of trust), 316(5)(criminal breach of trust committed by a public servant, banker, merchant, broker, attorney, or agent), 61(2)(criminal conspiracy), 54 (Abettor Present When Offence Committed) BNS.

As per the facts, the woman was running the bureau, wherein the complainant had approached to fix her nephew's marriage for which the accused took Rs.2.10 Lakh towards brokerage and marriage of the complainant's nephew was solemnized but with "another lady" and not with the match that was originally chosen. It was alleged that total brokerage received was Rs. 5.10 Lakh wherein the money was not paid to the parents of the witness as well.

Justice Hasmukh D Suthar in his order said:

"If we accept the said allegation as it is, even though role of present applicant is limited to give promise or to solemnize the marriage of nephew of the complainant. Except this, no role is attributed to present applicant as member of looteri dulhan gang or not any other allegation is revealed against present applicant. Following aspects have been considered: (1) Investigation is over and charge-sheet is filed; (2) Applicant is lady and behind the bar since 27/03/2026; (3) There is nothing to be recovered or discovered from the applicant; (4) Though the applicant is having past antecedent, she is presumed to be innocent till proven guilty; (5) Obviously commencement and conclusion of trial will take its own time; (6) Prosecution has failed to point out the circumstances to continue or prolong his detention".

In the facts and circumstances of the case and considering the nature of the allegations made against the applicant in the FIR, without discussing the evidence in detail, the court was of the "prima facie" opinion that it was fit case to grant bail.

The applicant was thus granted bail on furnishing personal bond of Rs. 25,000 subject to certain conditions.

Case title: KAVITABEN MANHARLAL @MANOJ BABULAL SONI v/s STATE OF GUJARAT

R/CRIMINAL MISC.APPLICATION (FOR REGULAR BAIL - AFTER CHARGESHEET) NO. 19815 of 2026