The Supreme Court of India has issued a major order regarding rape cases registered on the basis of a false promise of marriage. A bench comprising Justice B.V. Nagarathna and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan quashed an FIR, stating that every relationship that does not end in marriage cannot be categorized as rape. The court observed that the relationship in this specific case was consensual and the state should not get involved in personal disputes that have turned bitter.
Why the Case Was Quashed?
The court pointed out a very specific legal technicality while hearing the appeal against a Chhattisgarh High Court order. The bench noted that the complainant was already married to another person and her divorce case was pending during the time of her relationship with the accused. Since she was not legally eligible to marry the accused at that time, the promise of marriage could not be legally executed. Therefore, the allegation of a criminal “false promise” was not valid in this context.
What Does the Law Say About Consensual Relationships?
The Supreme Court has reiterated in multiple recent judgments that there is a difference between a broken promise and a false promise made with the intent to cheat. The judges explained that if a man and a woman are in a consensual relationship for a long time, it cannot be suddenly termed as rape just because they did not get married. The court checks if the accused had malicious intent right from the beginning or if circumstances changed later.
Recent Rulings on False Promise Cases
In 2025, the Supreme Court has passed several orders to stop the misuse of rape laws in relationship disputes. The following points highlight the recent legal standards:
- On September 10, 2025, Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Sandeep Mehta quashed a complaint filed four years after the alleged incident.
- On May 30, 2025, the court dismissed a case where allegations were found to be inconsistent.
- The court stated that material must be sound and indubitable to prove charges.
- Delay in filing complaints often raises questions about the credibility of the allegations.
