The Supreme Court set aside the rape conviction of a man, noting the case arose from a consensual relationship that soured and turned criminal. “Sixth Sense Suggests They Might Reconcile,” the court observed, citing a unique reason.
The Supreme Court set-aside the rape conviction of a man, noting that the case stemmed from a consensual relationship that soured and acquired a criminal aspect.
While reviewing the man’s bail application, the court stated it had a sixth sense suggesting that the accused and the complainant might reconcile.
A notice regarding the case was issued back in March.
The couple met through social media in 2015. When their relationship did not lead to marriage, the woman filed a complaint in 2021 under Sections 376 and 376(2)(n) of the Indian Penal Code.
A trial court subsequently found the man guilty and sentenced him to ten years of rigorous imprisonment. After the High Court denied bail, he appealed to the Supreme Court.
A bench consisting of Justices V. Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma held private discussions with the man, the woman, and their parents to gauge the dynamics of their relationship. When both parties expressed their desire to marry, with their families’ support, the court granted the man interim bail for the wedding.
The couple married in July. Upon revisiting the matter, the court was informed that they were enjoying a happy married life. In its final judgment delivered this month, the Supreme Court dismissed the complaint, conviction, and sentence.
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The court highlighted that the delay in marriage had caused insecurity in the woman’s mind, leading to the filing of the criminal case.
The judgment stated,
“We have exercised our powers under Article 142 of the Constitution. We feel that a consensual relationship turned into a crime due to a misunderstanding,”
Additionally, the Supreme Court ordered the reinstatement of the man’s position at a government hospital and mandated the payment of his salary for the suspension period.
The Chief Medical Officer of Madhya Pradesh’s Sagar district was instructed to lift the suspension and release the pending salary.