Overview
The Supreme Court bench questioned the basis of a criminal complaint alleging sexual assault on a false promise of marriage. The case stems from a 15‑year live‑in relationship in Madhya Pradesh where the woman, now a mother of a seven‑year‑old child, alleges that her partner concealed an existing marriage and later deserted her.
Key Developments
- Justices BV Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan heard the petition challenging the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s order to quash the FIR filed under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Sections 69, 115(2) and 74.
- The petitioner claimed the accused, a government servant, misled her about his marital status and promised marriage, which she says was a false pre‑text for sexual exploitation.
- Justice Nagarathna highlighted the consensual nature of the relationship, the long cohabitation, and the birth of a child, asking why the complaint was filed after many years.
- The Court refrained from probing alleged misconduct with other women, focusing solely on the present dispute.
- Instead of a criminal conviction, the Court suggested exploring maintenance for the child and possible mediation.
Important Facts
- Relationship duration: 15 years.
- Child’s age: 7 years.
- Complaint filed under Sections 69 (rape), 115(2) (sexual assault), and 74 (punishment for false promise of marriage) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
- High Court had earlier quashed the FIR; the Supreme Court has now issued a notice, returnable on May 25, 2026, to explore settlement possibilities.
Exam Relevance
This case touches upon several themes that frequently appear in the UPSC syllabus:
- Live‑in relationship and its legal status, especially after the Supreme Court’s earlier pronouncement that long‑term cohabitation implies mutual consent.
- Interpretation of the