Victim Cannot be Blamed for Sexual Assault for Having Friendly Relations With Perpetrator: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court has held that a sexual assault victim cannot be blamed for the crime merely because she is educated or maintains a friendly relationship with the accused.

The Court dismissed a sessions court order that had questioned the victim’s character while granting bail to the perpetrator.

The case involved a woman who befriended the accused over the phone and was invited to his hostel room at JNU, where he allegedly touched her inappropriately on two occasions. The High Court emphasized that such factors cannot be grounds to doubt the victim’s credibility.

[X v State Govt. NCT of Delhi & Anr.]