March 7, New Delhi: In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court of India has stated that a woman in a long-term live-in relationship cannot accuse her partner of rape based on a false promise of marriage. The court emphasized that prolonged cohabitation weakens claims of deceit or force in establishing sexual relations. The judgment came in response to a case involving a bank manager who was accused by his live-in partner of 16 years, a lecturer, of raping her under the pretext of a false promise of marriage.
A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta quashed the criminal proceedings against the man, noting that both parties were well-educated and had been in a consensual relationship for over 16 years. The court observed that it was difficult to believe the complainant had continued the relationship for such an extended period without raising any objections if she felt exploited.
The bench stated, “The prolonged period of 16 years during which the sexual relations continued unabatedly between the parties is sufficient to conclude that there was never an element of force or deceit in the relationship.” The court further added that claims of sexual relations being maintained solely based on a promise of marriage lose credibility when the relationship has persisted for such a long duration. Even if a false promise was made, the woman’s decision to remain in the relationship for years undermines her allegations.
This ruling highlights the importance of context and the nature of relationships in legal proceedings. The Supreme Court’s decision underscores that long-term live-in relationships, especially between educated individuals, suggest mutual consent and understanding, making it challenging to prove deceit or coercion in such cases. The judgment sets a precedent for similar cases, emphasizing the need for careful examination of the facts and circumstances surrounding allegations of rape based on promises of marriage.
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