The Punjab and Haryana High Court rejected a woman’s plea to prosecute the parents and grandmother of the man she accused of rape on a false promise of marriage, holding that her claims of their alleged assurance did not constitute abetment.
The Allahabad High Court held that when a married man promises marriage, the deceit begins from the very start. Refusing to quash proceedings under Section 69 BNS, the Court said such allegations must be tested during trial.
The Delhi High Court held that refusing to marry due to horoscope mismatch after establishing physical relations on a promise of marriage can attract charges under Section 69 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The Court denied bail to the accused, observing that repeated assurances followed by refusal may amount to sexual intercourse by deceitful means.
The Supreme Court observed that a boy and girl before marriage are “total strangers” and advised caution while engaging in pre-marital physical relationships. The remarks came during a bail hearing in a false promise of marriage rape case, where the Court also suggested mediation.
The Delhi High Court ruled that educated and independent adults cannot misuse rape laws to criminalise a consensual relationship that later fails. The Court said a breakup alone does not create criminal liability unless a false promise of marriage is clearly proven.
The Karnataka High Court quashed a rape FIR against an advocate, finding the woman’s claim of sexual relations on a false promise of marriage was manipulated. Citing an imprint of manipulation and an attempt to convert discord into public prosecution.
The Supreme Court set aside a Rajasthan High Court order that required a rape accused’s wife, who lives and works in the US, to remain in India. The Court held that imposing conditions on a non-party violates procedure and accepted the accused’s undertaking to attend hearings via video-conferencing.
The Supreme Court warned against turning failed relationships into rape cases, calling it a worrying misuse of criminal law. It said consensual intimacy in a genuine relationship cannot later be labelled as rape just because marriage did not happen.
The Delhi High Court ruled that a consensual relationship cannot be rebranded as non-consensual solely because marriage did not occur. The Court held that a breach of promise is not the same as a false promise made to induce consent.
The Supreme Court advised Tamil filmmaker-politician Seeman to give an unconditional apology to an actor who accused him of rape on the false promise of marriage. The court warned his plea for quashing would be dismissed if he refused.
