The Supreme Court has granted anticipatory bail to an accused facing rape charge, where the victim alleged that the accused established sexual relationship with her on the pretext of marriage.

A bench comprising justices Sanjiv Khanna and M.M. Sundresh said: "We have examined the office report, and also perused the assertions made by the informant in the FIR. On consideration, we are inclined to grant the appellant -- Mukesh Kumar Singh -- the benefit of anticipatory bail with the direction that in the event of the appellant being arrested, he shall be released on bail by the arresting officer on terms and conditions to be fixed by the trial court. In addition, the appellant shall comply with the mandate of Section 438(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973."