New Delhi: Ten days after the Bombay High Court rejected his anticipatory bail application in the film audition rape case, accused Abhijit Arun Gade has approached the Supreme Court, which has issued notice in his Special Leave Petition and granted him interim protection from arrest, subject to conditions.
A Bench of Justice Augustine George Masih and Justice Vijay Bishnoi passed the order on June 11, 2026, in SLP (Criminal) No. 11259 of 2026, in the matter of Abhijit Arun Gade v. The State of Maharashtra and Another, arising out of the Bombay High Court’s order dated June 1, 2026, in Anticipatory Bail Application No. 1311 of 2026.
The Supreme Court issued notice returnable on August 3, 2026. Mr. Aaditya Pande, Advocate-on-Record, accepted notice on behalf of the State of Maharashtra, waiving formal service on the respondent-State. Notice to respondent No. 2, the complainant, was directed to be issued separately, with dasti service permitted in addition. The Court directed the petitioner to serve a copy of the petition on the State’s counsel within one week and the State to file a counter affidavit within two weeks, with the petitioner’s rejoinder within one week thereafter.
Interim Protection Granted
Crucially, the Court directed that in the event of arrest in connection with FIR No. 21/2026 dated April 18, 2026, registered at Police Station Narhe, District Pune, Maharashtra, for offences punishable under Section 69 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Sections 66E and 67A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, the petitioner shall be released on bail by the investigating or arresting officer on such terms and conditions as may be found just, fair and reasonable.
The Court, however, imposed mandatory conditions on the interim protection. It directed that if the petitioner possesses a passport, the same shall be deposited before the competent authority or court until the conclusion of the trial or unless directed otherwise. The petitioner was also directed to make himself available before the Investigating Officer on June 18, 2026, at 10:00 AM and on all such dates as may be required. The Court further directed that until the investigation is complete, the petitioner shall fully cooperate, and if a chargesheet is filed, he shall maintain good conduct and not attempt to influence any witnesses until the completion of the trial.
Petitioner’s Case Before the Supreme Court
The petitioner has challenged the Bombay High Court’s order, contending that the High Court failed to appreciate that the FIR itself records that the petitioner and the complainant were in a consensual relationship since October 2024, which came to an end in January 2026, and that on the date of separation, the petitioner deleted the intimate photographs and videos of the complainant from his mobile phone in the presence of his wife and the complainant’s aunt.
Also Read: Film Audition Rape Case: Bombay HC Denies Bail to Accused [Read Order]
It has been contended that, as the contents of the FIR itself belie the allegation that the petitioner circulated or made viral the photographs or videos on any social media platform, no prima facie case is made out against him under Section 69 of the BNS or Sections 66E and 67A of the IT Act.
What the Bombay HC Had Held
As reported by us earlier, Justice Shyam C. Chandak of the Bombay High Court, sitting as a Vacation Court, rejected the petitioner’s anticipatory bail application on June 1, 2026, holding that there was a prima facie case of rape against him.
The High Court held that the accused had induced the complainant’s consent by a false pretext—a promise of film work—while concealing his marriage, and that the consent so obtained was neither free nor valid in law. It further held that the accused had only made a show of deleting the intimate material and had thereafter circulated the photographs on social media, and that custodial interrogation was essential for the collection of electronic evidence.
“The Applicant misused the trust invested in him by Respondent No. 2. Said act of the Applicant has ruined the life of Respondent No. 2. Therefore, there is a prima facie case of the offence of rape,” the High Court had held.
This article is a follow-up to our earlier report on the Bombay High Court’s June 1, 2026 order rejecting the anticipatory bail application of Abhijit Arun Gade in the film audition rape case.
Case Details
At the Supreme Court
- Case Title: Abhijit Arun Gade v. The State of Maharashtra and Another
- Case Number: SLP (Criminal) No. 11259 of 2026
- Court: Supreme Court of India
- Bench: Justice Augustine George Masih and Justice Vijay Bishnoi
- Date of Order: June 11, 2026
- Next Date: August 3, 2026
- Petitioner’s Advocates: Mr. Ashish Raghuvanshi, Advocate; Ms. C. Ankeeta Appanna, AOR; Ms. Madhura Anand Chitnis, Advocate; Mr. Tanmay Kate, Advocate; Mr. Ishit Mahajan, Advocate
- Respondents’ Advocates: Mr. Aditya Krishna, Advocate; Mr. Siddharth Dharmadhikari, Advocate; Mr. Aaditya Pande, AOR
At the Bombay High Court
- Case Title: Abhijit Arun Gade v. The State of Maharashtra and Another
- Case Number: Anticipatory Bail Application No. 1311 of 2026
- Court: High Court of Judicature at Bombay (Vacation Court)
- Judge: Justice Shyam C. Chandak
- Date of Order: June 1, 2026
- FIR: No. 21/2026 dated April 18, 2026, Police Station Narhe, Pune
