New Delhi, March 6: Supreme court of India has given an big verdict which could change the way people look at the relationships, court said that a woman cannot accuse a man of rape after living with him for 16 years in live-in-relationship, which was the case about a woman who filled a criminal case against a man accusing him of sexually exploiting her for years with fake marriage promises. thus she turned her way towards the court seeking for the justice.
What Did the Supreme Court Say?
But the Supreme Court doesn’t agree to her arguments as the supreme court Bench-siters namely Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta stated that a long -term -live-in -relationship cannot be treated as rape
just because the man did not marry the woman they emphasized that unless it is proven that the man never intended to marry her from the very beginning it cannot be considered a case of rape the court highlighted a crucial point the relationship lasted for 16 years both individuals had been together for a long time with mutual consent if the woman had any objections or felt forced why did she continue in the relationship for so many years
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Why was the Case Dismissed ?
it was surprising to supreme court which noted that the allegations of sexual allegations were raised only when the man married someone-else
if she truly believed she was being wronged why did she not speak up earlier why did she continue believing in his promises for such a long time the judges questioned whether the complaint was genuinely about sexual assault or if it was an emotional reaction to the mans decision to marry another
this case was refused by high-court but now over-ruled by supreme-court
Background of the Case
The woman filed an FIR (Police complaint) in 2022 claiming that the man had forced himself on her in 2006 the police investigated the case and filed a charge sheet the same year the accused in his defense argued that their relationship was completely consensual and lasted for many years he claimed that the rape allegations were false and were made only after their relationship
Final Verdict
Well the supreme-court told that just because the relationship did not end in marriage it does not mean the man was guilty of rape the court also pointed out that there was no evidence to prove that he had lied about marriage from the very Start.
Why Is This Decision Important?
This judgment once again brings attention to the legal and emotional complexities of live-in relationships, it highlights the importance of mutual consent and personal responsibility the ruling also makes it clear that people cannot misuse laws meant to protect real victims of sexual violence for personal revenge or emotional distress while betrayal in relationships can be painful it does not always amount to a crime