Marriage with Minor Doesn’t Mitigate Rape: Delhi High Court Denies Bail

The Delhi High Court denied a bail plea by a 34-year-old man accused of raping a minor girl who later died by suicide.

The court held that marriage with a minor is legally void under Indian law and cannot mitigate the offense of rape when the victim is below the age of consent. The accused faced charges under the Indian Penal Code and POCSO Act. 

The court rejected claims of a consensual relationship, citing the age disparity and vulnerability of the minor. Factual disputes, like the victim’s age, must be examined during trial and refused to interfere at the bail stage.