Karnataka High Court: Consensual relationship turned sour not a crime, quashes rape FIR

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The Karnataka High Court has delivered a significant ruling in a rape case, quashing the FIR filed against the accused. The court held that a consensual relationship that later ends due to disagreement or disappointment cannot be criminalized.

Justice M. Nagaprasanna said at the hearing, “If the present prosecution is allowed to continue, it would amount to a miscarriage of justice and an abuse of law.” The court clarified that the breakdown or failure of a relationship cannot be considered a criminal act if it was initially established with the consent and willingness of both parties.

What was the case?

According to reports, a man and woman met through a dating app. They began chatting on social media and later met at a restaurant. They then had consensual sex at a hotel. Shortly thereafter, the woman filed a complaint accusing the man of rape, based on which the police registered an FIR. The High Court found that the investigating officer deliberately ignored the chats and communications between the accused and the complainant. These chats clearly showed that the relationship was consensual, and there was no coercion or deception.

The court also cited an earlier Supreme Court decision, which stated that “there is a clear legal and moral distinction between consensual sex and rape.” Based on this, the High Court granted the accused’s plea and dismissed the FIR. The court stated that in such cases, courts should ensure that the law is not used as a weapon of vengeance or personal disputes.