Calling Off Marriage After Courtship Not Necessarily Breach Of Promise: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court has held that the calling of a marriage after the period of courtship cannot be deemed a breach of promise to marry.

While granting bail to a man accused of engaging in sexual intercourse under the pretext of marriage, Justice Arun Monga observed that two consenting adults exploring a potential alliance retain the right to choose not to proceed, which cannot be held as a breach of promise.

The Court noted that the purpose of courtship is to assess mutual compatibility, and holding such decisions as breach of promise would defeat the very objective of this period.

[Naveen Yadav v State of NCT of Delhi]