The Supreme Court has dismissed a woman's plea alleging rape on the false promise of marriage, observing that she had lived with the man for 15 years and had a child from the relationship.
Case Background
The petitioner's counsel argued that the man sexually assaulted her and made a false promise of marriage. The woman claimed that she agreed to the relationship based on his assurance of marriage, which he later reneged on.
Court's Observation
A bench of the Supreme Court noted the prolonged duration of the relationship and the fact that the couple had a child together. The court observed that these factors undermined the claim of a false promise of marriage from the outset.
The bench stated that in cases of live-in relationships lasting over a decade, the allegation of a false promise of marriage cannot be sustained easily. The court emphasized that the woman was aware of the nature of the relationship and continued to live with the man voluntarily.
Legal Implications
This ruling highlights the legal complexities surrounding rape cases based on false promises of marriage. The Supreme Court has previously held that a promise made without the intention to marry can amount to rape if the consent was based solely on that promise. However, the court also considers the conduct of the parties and the duration of the relationship.
The judgment underscores that in long-term live-in relationships, the courts are hesitant to infer a false promise of marriage, especially when the relationship has produced children and lasted for many years.
