Uttarakhand High Court Dismisses Rape Charges in Consensual Relationship Case

The Uttarakhand High Court has ruled to quash charges against an underaged man accused of rape by a woman engaged in a consensual relationship with him. Justice Pankaj Purohit concluded that the allegations arose from a relationship that deteriorated rather than a breach of marital promise.

Despite claims from the 28-year-old married woman that she was promised marriage and faced threats of having her videos uploaded online, the court determined that the nature of their interaction did not constitute rape. The man, identified as below the legal marriage age, had been charge-sheeted based on the woman's complaint.

In its judgment, the court questioned the plausibility of such a marriage promise given the man's age and the woman's existing marriage and child. The court's decision dismissed the charges, citing the understanding of the relationship as consent-based.

(With inputs from agencies.)