Grindr App Used To Commit Offence: Madras High Court Asks Centre To Take Appropriate Action Against App Including Blocking

The Madras High Court recently observed that the popular gay dating app, Grindr was being used for illegal activities. The court was hearing a bail petition of a man who was accused of sexually abusing and robbing another man through the app. The court thus suggested the Investigating officer to report to the Ministry of Electronic & Information Technology so that it could take appropriate action including blocking the app as per with law. “The Investigating Officer shall also report about the mobile app to the appropriate agency namely, the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India that it is used to commit offences / illegal purpose for them to consider for appropriate action including blocking in accordance with law,” the court said. Justice Bharatha Chakravarthy remarked that the app was illegal not because it dealt with homosexual persons, but it served only a prurient purpose and the sexual interest of the parties. The court was hearing a bail petition filed by Maharaja under Section 483 of BNSS. The case against him was that he had taken the defacto complainant, whom he had met through the Grindr app, to a secluded place and sexually abused him, and robbed him of his chain and credit card. It was further alleged that he had withdrawn a sum of Rs. 1,15,000. He was thus charged with offences under Sections 294(b), 377, 387, 506(2) of the IPC. The court was inclined to grant him bail considering his undertaking that he would come out of the app and would not be part of any social media in any nature. Maharaja also undertook that he would voluntarily surrender his mobile phone and intimate the police if he buys a new phone. The court thus directed Maharaja to be released on bail, on executing a bond for a sum of Rs. 10,000 with two sureties. Counsel for the Petitioner: M/s. Balakrishnan, Advocate. Counsel for the Respondents: Mr.R.M.Anbunithi, Additional Public Prosecutor Citation: 2024 LiveLaw (Mad) 321 Case Title: Maharaja v Inspector of Police Case No: CRL OP(MD). No.13287 of 2024Click here to read/download the judgment

Grindr App Used To Commit Offence: Madras High Court Asks Centre To Take Appropriate Action Against App Including Blocking

Upasana Sajeev

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