The legal interpretation of rape on the pretext of marriage in India has evolved through judicial precedents, balancing the sanctity of marriage with the principles of consent under criminal law.
A 42-year-old female constable filed a complaint against Lieutenant Colonel Varun Pratap Singh, accusing him of raping her after falsely promising to marry her. Singh, already married, allegedly used deceit to maintain a relationship, leading to a police case under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections for sexual intercourse based on a false promise.
Madhya Pradesh: The Madhya Pradesh High Court has recently changed the punishment of Lalla Yadav, who was earlier sentenced to life imprisonment for raping a mentally underdeveloped minor. His sentence has now been reduced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment. A division bench consisting of Justice Vivek Agarwal and Justice Devnarayan Mishra from the Jabalpur bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court issued the judgment. The court considered some mitigating factors, including the fact that the accused is married and has four children to support.
A Lucknow High Court judge said that grabbing breasts and breaking pyjamas is not enough to call it rape. This decision has angered people across the country. Senior lawyer Kapil Sibal criticized the ruling, saying, “With such judges adorning the Bench, God save this country!” He also blamed the Supreme Court for not taking strict action against such judges. Many legal experts and activists believe this kind of judgment makes the fight against sexual violence weaker.
A letter to the Chief Justice of India (CJI) urged the immediate removal of a judge who stated that grabbing a woman’s breast is not enough to constitute a rape allegation. The remark created nationwide outrage, with activists and legal experts condemning it as a dangerous precedent. Critics argue that such statements undermine the seriousness of sexual assault cases and violate the spirit of justice. The controversy has intensified calls for judicial accountability and gender-sensitive legal interpretations.
The Allahabad High Court ruled that actions such as grabbing the breasts of an 11-year-old victim, breaking her pyjama string, and attempting to drag her under a culvert do not constitute an attempt to rape. This decision has sparked significant controversy and debate regarding the interpretation of sexual assault laws. The case highlights ongoing concerns about the legal definitions surrounding sexual offenses against minors.
In Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, a man accused of rape tried to run away from police custody. While being taken for a medical check-up, he asked to stop for a bathroom break. He then grabbed a policeman’s gun and fired at the police vehicle. In return, the police shot him in the leg, caught him again, and took him to the hospital.
A Delhi court acquitted a man accused of raping a student, stating that the victim was in a “love relationship” with him. The court found no strong evidence to prove the charges against the accused. It observed that their relationship appeared to be consensual. The verdict highlights the importance of clear legal proof in such cases.
