Cuttack, Aug 25: Trouble has increased for singer Saurin Bhatt in a rape case filed against him, after the Odisha High Court expressed displeasure over his repeated failure to appear before the lower court despite being given time.

The High Court has lifted its earlier stay on the non-bailable warrant (NBW) issued against Bhatt by the lower court. Hearing the matter, Justice Shibashankar Mishra directed the lower court to take firm steps to ensure Bhatt’s appearance before it.

The case was registered at the Cuttack Women Police Station following allegations that Bhatt raped a woman after promising to marry her and allegedly took lakhs of rupees from her without returning the money.

Bhatt had earlier sought anticipatory bail in the case. The High Court initially granted him interim protection, but the anticipatory bail petition was subsequently withdrawn. Following this, he reportedly did not appear before the Women Police Station.

Police made several attempts to trace him and reportedly travelled to Kolkata, where they served a notice at his ancestral residence. However, he did not appear. The Cuttack Police subsequently issued a Red Corner Notice through the Crime Branch.

The Cuttack Sadar SDJM Court had issued an NBW against Bhatt on November 23, 2023. Challenging the warrant, Bhatt approached the High Court, which stayed its operation and directed him to surrender before the lower court.

His lawyer had informed the High Court that Bhatt would surrender before the lower court before August 20. However, as he failed to appear, the High Court has now vacated the stay on the NBW.

AGA Chittaranjan Swain represented the state government in the matter.