Marital Rape not Recognized as a Crime under IPC : Madhya Pradesh High Court Upholds Acquittal of Husband

The Madhya Pradesh HC upheld the acquittal of a man accused by his wife of unnatural sexual intercourse, cruelty, and dowry demands. 

The wife had filed an FIR under Sections 498-A, 377, 323, 294, 506, 34 IPC and Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act.

The Court referred to Navjet Singh Johar v. Union of India and Umang Singhar v. State of Madhya Pradesh, observed that marital rape is not recognized under Indian law.

Citing the amended definition of rape under Section 375 IPC, which excludes non-consensual acts within a valid marriage, the Court found no offence under Section 377 and dismissed the wife’s revision petition and affirming the hubands's acquittal.