The Delhi High Court has held that an educated and independent woman, who willingly engages in a romantic relationship despite knowing her partner’s marital status, cannot later claim she was misled or sexually exploited under the law.
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma observed that allowing every failed consensual relationship to be prosecuted as rape would undermine the constitutional vision of justice and distort the purpose of sexual offence laws.
Court’s Observations
The Court noted a growing trend of FIRs under Section 376 IPC where allegations of sexual exploitation are made on the basis of false promises of marriage after prolonged consensual relationships.
“Adults entering intimate relationships must take responsibility for their voluntary decisions, including emotional, social, or legal consequences,” the Court said.
It further added that the law on sexual offences is not meant to be a tool for vengeance or leverage in failed relationships between consenting adults.
Case Background
The case involved a complaint alleging that the accused repeatedly committed rape under a false promise of marriage and later married another woman. However, the Court observed that even after being aware of the accused’s marital status, the complainant continued to meet him, travel with him, and maintain physical relations.
The Court held that these circumstances indicated a consensual relationship rather than one induced by deception.
Final Verdict
Quashing the FIR, Justice Sharma stated that courts are not tasked with judging the morality of such relationships but must ensure that criminal law is not stretched beyond its intended scope
