Suppressed Relationship Supports Deceitful-Means Charge and Bail Denial

The Kerala High Court has refused anticipatory bail to a man accused of concealing an existing live-in relationship and child before a marriage arrangement and subsequent sexual relations. Justice A. Badharudeen held that the allegations prima facie attracted Section 69 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which separately criminalises sexual intercourse obtained by deceitful means even when the conduct does not amount to rape. The court also found a prima facie scheduled offence supporting the statutory bar on anticipatory bail under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Custodial interrogation was considered necessary for recovery, medical examination and other investigative steps. Dismissing the appeal on 29 September 2026, the court directed the accused to surrender immediately and permitted arrest if he failed to do so.