Pune, 29 August 2025: A sessions court in Pune has dismissed the bail applications of eight men accused of repeatedly raping a young woman from Bhutan under the pretext of offering her a job. The survivor, now back in her country, opposed their bail through an online video conference, urging the court to deny their plea.
The order was passed by Additional Sessions Judge S. M. Takalikar. Among those whose bail pleas were rejected are Shantanu Samuel Kukde of the “Red House Foundation,” advocate Vipin Bidkar, Rishikesh Navale (48), Jaalindar Badde, Umesh Shahane, Pratik Shinde (36), Sagar Rasge (35), and Raunak Jain (38).
According to the prosecution, the assaults took place between 2020 and January 2025 at various locations, including a flat in Nana Peth, a bungalow at Sarve Beach in Raigad, and a hotel in Panshet. The woman alleged that she was given intoxicating substances during parties and was then sexually assaulted.
Investigations revealed that the accused, through the Red House Foundation, organized parties involving different men and women, exploiting vulnerable women, including the poor and homeless. Financial records show that the foundation handled transactions worth nearly ₹100 crore.
The prosecution argued that the survivor never consented to the sexual exploitation and that the delay in filing the complaint cannot hide the seriousness of the crime. Additional Public Prosecutor Premkumar Agarwal strongly opposed bail, after which the court refused to grant relief to the accused.
