March 5th 2025.
In a recent ruling, the Supreme Court has addressed the delicate issue of consent in long-term live-in relationships. The court stated that a woman cannot claim she was coerced into a physical relationship on the promise of marriage, as it cannot be definitively proven that sexual relations were solely based on this promise.
The case in question involved a bank official accused of rape by his live-in partner, who is a lecturer. The court noted that both individuals were well-educated and maintained a consensual relationship, even visiting each other's homes when living in different towns. However, the relationship eventually soured, leading to criminal proceedings against the accused.
After careful consideration, the bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta quashed the criminal proceedings, stating that the prolonged nature of the relationship indicated that no force or deceit was involved. The court described the relationship as a love affair that had unfortunately turned sour.
In their ruling, the justices also addressed the issue of the woman's claim that she had maintained a sexual relationship with the accused for 16 years based on his promise to marry her. They found it hard to believe that she would continue to consent to such a relationship without raising any protest if she truly felt exploited. The court also pointed out that even if a false promise was assumed, the duration of the relationship weakened the woman's claim that her consent was based on the belief of marriage.
In conclusion, the Supreme Court emphasized that such claims of coercion or deceit become implausible when a relationship continues for an extended period. This ruling serves as a reminder that individuals in live-in relationships must carefully consider and communicate their expectations and boundaries to avoid any misunderstandings or legal complications.
In other news, the Border Security Force (BSF) has recently arrested a Bangladeshi woman at the border with over Rs9 lakh worth of gold. The woman, who was caught with the gold in her possession, has been handed over to the relevant authorities for further investigation.
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