Consensual Relationship with Married Man Cannot Be Termed Rape: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court has ruled that an educated, independent woman who continues a relationship with a married man despite knowing his marital status cannot claim exploitation under the law.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma observed that consensual relationships between adults cannot be retrospectively termed as rape merely because marriage did not follow.

The Court stressed that misuse of criminal provisions in failed relationships burdens the justice system and goes against the intent of laws on sexual offences.

[Ankit Raj v State of NCT of Delhi & ors.]