Supreme Court Questions Sexual Assault Charges in Long-Term Live-in Relationship

The Supreme Court questioned how sexual assault charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) could be sustained in a 15-year live-in relationship involving a child.

The bench was hearing a plea against a Madhya Pradesh High Court order that quashed an FIR against the petitioner’s former partner.

Justice Nagarathna observed that walking out of a consensual relationship without a legal marriage bond does not automatically constitute a criminal offense.

While the petitioner alleged exploitation based on a false promise of marriage, the Court suggested mediation to secure maintenance for the child instead of pursuing criminal prosecution.