Registered Marriage Bars Rape Charges Over Unfulfilled Religious Customs: Bombay High Court

The Bombay High Court ruled that once a marriage is legally registered, allegations of rape based on non-fulfilment of a promise to marry as per religious customs cannot be sustained.

The Court quashed the FIR against the husband, noting that both parties had willingly registered their marriage and later entered into a consensual relationship.

It held that a breach of promise to perform religious customs does not amount to rape when a valid registered marriage exists.

The Court further clarified that the allegations did not disclose any offence of rape or cheating against the husband.