Sex on pretext of marriage not rape: Orissa HC

Cuttack:  25.05.2020

In a significant observation, a judge of the Orissa high court has observed that indulgence in sexual intercourse on false promise of marriage does not amount to rape.

Justice S K Panigrahi also raised questions about whether rape laws should be used to regulate intimate relationships, especially in cases where women enter into a relationship by choice.

Justice Panigrahi made the observations on Thursday while allowing the bail application of a rape accused, setting aside a lower court order.

The 19-year-old tribal woman had lodged a police complaint alleging that the man, a student, had established physical relations with her taking advantage of her innocence and promising that he will marry her. PTI