SC Rules That Long Cohabitation Indicates Mutual Consent To Continue A Live-In Relationship Without Marriage

The Supreme Court, while quashing a case against a man accused of raping a women on the false promise of maarige, held that long-term cohabitation between adults implies mutual consent to the relationship. 

Since the couple lived together for over two years without any prior complaint and physical relations continued throughout, the Court inferred valid consent and dismissed claims of coercion.

The Court ruled that expressing a desire to marry during a long-term live-in relationship does not necessarily mean the relationship was formed because of a promise of marriage.

The courts observed that such cases should be assessed with a modern, realistic lens rather than a rigid, traditional view.