‘Same sex good relations must for healthy society’

‘Same sex good relations must for healthy society’

Jay.Pachchigar@timesgroup.com

Vadodara:03.09.2021

“It is necessary to note that for the healthy society, good and pious relations and friendships between same sex are very much needed … Such instance (honey trap) not only shakes the confidence of the society but also shakes the real purpose behind the concept of gay or same sex dating. Such kinds of offenders are a threat to society as well as social balance.” This is what a sessions court in Vadodara observed while rejecting the bail of a man who was arrested for blackmailing a man along with his two other friends through a gay social networking and dating mobile app.

The court of additional sessions judge A J Kanani also noted that offenders like the accused Rakesh Kanojiya ‘have shaken the social structure by trapping innocent people for their monetary gains’. Court also came down heavily on the accused and said that it is not inclined to show any leniency as he deceived the complainant and blackmailed him.

Kanojiya and his accomplices Ajay Thakor and Akshay Gohil had planned to extort money from a man, who used the gay dating application. Gohil took the man to a pre-decided place in Waghodiya in June. When Gohil and the man were in compromising position, Kanojiya and Thakor recorded their videos and photos and later ambushed him. They took away Rs 6,000 cash, gold necklace, mobile phones and demanded more cash due to which the man’s wife and sister came to give Rs 12,000. Later, they threatened the man to pay Rs 50,000 or else they would circulate his photos and videos. Tired of the blackmailing, the man had lodged an offence of robbery, extortion, unnatural offences, criminal conspiracy and under Information Technology Act. Following the registration of FIR, the accused were arrested and have been in judicial custody. Kanojiya sought bail again as the investigating officer submitted the chargesheet of the case.

Founder trustee of Lakshya Trust that works with the LGBTQ community, Sylvester Merchant said that he was very surprised with the judgement. "Gay men have very few options for dating and these days mobile applications are used widely and virtual spaces are used a lot. It is important that these places stay safe," he said.

Court directs top police officials

The court also directed the superintendent of Vadodara rural police and the inspector general of Vadodara range police to make sure that the owner of the dating application – Blued – to put disclaimer or warning for the safety and privacy of users. The court stated that celebrities like Ayushman Khurrana promote the application due to which youth are attracted towards it without being aware of criminal ramifications.