Widow’s Live-In Relationship Alone Could Not Prove Rape On Marriage Promise: Chhattisgarh HC Upholds Acquittal

The complainant, a widow, alleged that the accused developed an intimate relationship with her, repeatedly promised to marry her, and had sexual relations with her on that basis.

She further alleged that he pressured her to terminate a pregnancy, assaulted and threatened her, and ultimately refused to marry her.

The FIR was lodged on 13 November 2025; after trial, the Additional Sessions Judge acquitted the accused of charges under Sections 64(2)(m) and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The complainant appealed against the acquittal

The Court considered the offences charged under Sections 64(2)(m) and 351(2) of the BNS.

It applied the requirement that the prosecution establish the accused’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

The Court considered the complainant’s testimony alongside the medical and other prosecution evidence.

The complainant acknowledged that she was educated and able to understand her interests, that the parties had developed intimacy through telephone conversations, and that they later lived together.

The medical witness reported that the complainant had not disclosed forcible intercourse and that no signs of it were found; the evidence concerning assault and abortion was also uncorroborated or lacked direct knowledge of the material events.

The Court concluded that the evidence did not establish rape on a false promise of marriage or sufficiently substantiate the allegations of assault and threats

It dismissed the appeal