'Disclose Social Media Passwords, Provide Body Fluids, Blood Samples If Required By IO': MP High Court Directs Accused Seeking Bail

Granting anticipatory bail to a man booked under Section 69 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (Sexual intercourse by employing deceitful means, etc.), the Madhya Pradesh High Court recently imposed some unusual bail conditions on him. A bench of Justice Devnarayan Mishra directed the accused (Murli Manohar Soni) to cooperate with the investigating agency, submit all electronic gadgets, such as laptops and mobiles, and disclose his passwords for all social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, etc. Interestingly, the bench also directed him to give samples of his body fluids and blood if the Police Authorities require them. Booked under Sections 69, 118(1), and 351(2) of the BNS, the applicant had moved the HC seeking the relief while contending that he was having a consensual relationship with the victim and that due to a quarrel between them, she had lodged the FIR against him. On the other hand, the counsel for the objector submitted that the applicant was threatening the victim, and based on the threat, he had established physical relations with her. Hence, no case for anticipatory bail was made out. The counsel appearing for the state also opposed the anticipatory bail application, contending that as per the MLC report, it was clear that the victim was assaulted, and she had suffered injuries on her head, hand and stomach. However, looking to the facts and circumstances of the case, coupled with the fact that custodial interrogation of the applicant is not required, the Court deemed it appropriate to enlarge the applicant on anticipatory bail. Thus, the HC directed that in the event of arrest, he shall be enlarged on bail on furnishing a personal bond in a sum of Rs.50,000/- subject to the following condition: “8. The applicant is directed to cooperate with the investigating agency and shall submit all the electronic gadgets like laptop, mobile and shall also disclose his password of all social media platforms like facebook, instagram and whatsapp etc. to the agency. He shall also give the samples of his body fluid and blood if required by the Police Authorities.9.The applicant is directed that he directly or indirectly shall not establish any relation and induce or threaten the victim or any other person proposed to be a witness in the case.” It may be noted that last month, the same bench had granted anticipatory bail to a rape accused, while directing him to handover all his electronic gadgets along with the password of all his social media platforms to the investigating agency. It may be further noted that Section 482 (2) BNSS provides that when the High Court or the Court of Session makes a direction for the release of a person on his arrest, it may include such conditions in such directions in the light of the facts of the particular case. Case title - Murli Manohar Soni Vs. State Of Madhya Pradesh Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (MP) 42 Click Here To Read/Download Order

'Disclose Social Media Passwords, Provide Body Fluids, Blood Samples If Required By IO': MP High Court Directs Accused Seeking Bail

Sparsh Upadhyay

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