Delhi High Court agrees to hold in-camera hearing in TV anchor Varun Hiremath anticipatory bail plea in rape case

Delhi High Court today agreed to hold an in-camera hearing in the anticipatory bail application filed by TV anchor Varun Hiremath in connection with a rape case against him. (Varun Hiremath vs State).A Single Judge Bench of Justice Mukta Gupta listed the matter for hearing at 3:30 pm today. As per the Court's direction, a separate link for the hearing shall be sent to the counsel for Hiremath, the prosecutrix and the State. .A request for an in-camera hearing was made by Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal who appeared on behalf of Hiremath. .A plea in connection with the investigation in the case has also been preferred by the prosecutrix. It would be taken up along with the anticipatory bail application. Senior Advocate Nitya Ramakrishnan appeared for the prosecutrix. .Earlier this month, after Hiremath contended that the act was consensual, the Court had granted interim protection from arrest to Hiremath subject to him joining the investigation. The Court had also sought a report from the State on this aspect..Hiremath's anticipatory bail application was rejected by Additional Sessions Judge at the Fast Track Courts in Patiala House Court bail last month..Before the trial court, Hiremath claimed that the prosecutrix came from Pune to Delhi to meet him and voluntarily checked into a hotel room with him. The 22-year-old prosecutrix had argued that merely going into a hotel room did not show her intention to indulge in sexual activities.Rejecting the anticipatory bail plea, the trial court had held that the previous relationship of the parties was of no relevance in view of Sections 53A and 114A of the Indian Evidence Act..As per sources, the Court today extended Hiremath's interim bail till Monday when Prosecutrix is expected to begin her submissions. Counsel for Hiremath and State concluded their submissions.