The Rajasthan High Court has cancelled a rape case against a man after he married the woman who had accused him. The court said that continuing the case would "destroy the sanctity of marriage". Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand made this decision, according to the legal news website Live Law.

The judge said that because of the "peculiarity of the marriage", this ruling should not be treated as a rule for future cases where the accused and the complainant reach a compromise. Justice Dhand also referred to two old Supreme Court judgements where rape charges were cancelled after the accused and the woman got married.

The judge explained, "Marriage is considered a sacred union between two individuals – transcending physical, emotional, and spiritual bonds. According to ancient Hindu laws, marriage and its rituals are performed to pursue 'dharma' (duty), 'artha' (possession), and 'kama' (physical desire)".
He also added, "... marriage is more than a ritual, which cannot be allowed to be destroyed by continuing the criminal proceedings against the petitioner."

The court said that carrying on with the criminal case would "disturb married life".

What was the case about?

The woman had complained that she entered into a physical relationship with the man because he had promised to marry her. However, after she became pregnant, the man allegedly gave her abortion pills and then stopped talking to her.

At that time, the woman filed a complaint against him. But later, before the court could hear the case, the man and woman got married. After their marriage, a request was made to cancel the rape charges, which the court agreed to.

Meanwhile, earlier this month, the Supreme Court also made an important observation. It said that a failed romantic relationship does not always mean that sexual relations were forced. The top court said while hearing a different case, "no attachment to any one gender," and decided to look into the man's plea further.

 

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