Himachal Pradesh HC: False Promise to Marry and Postponement of Marriage Are Not Grounds for Rape

The Himachal Pradesh High Court ruled that a rape charge based on a false promise of marriage is unsustainable if the marriage was merely delayed, not refused.

The Court noted the couple had a five-year relationship and were engaged, with delays due to family issues.

The complainant alleged the accused had sexual relations under a promise to marry, later postponed, and accused his family of dowry demands.

Overturning the trial court’s conviction for rape and dowry, the High Court held there was no false promise or dowry demand, citing Mahesh Damu Khare v. State of Maharashtra (2024) as precedent.