Raigad. The High Court has upheld the acquittal of an accused of rape on false promise of marriage in the district. Rejecting the state government's appeal, the High Court quashed the order to take action against the accused under the Rape and Pasco Act as the victim's age could not be proved to be less than 18 years.
The case dates back to 10 February 2016, when the victim of Raigad district alleged that she was living in a live-in relationship with the accused since 1 February 2016. During this time, the accused had sexual relations with her after promising marriage. When the victim asked to get married, the accused refused. After this, the victim filed a police complaint in 2016, alleging r

Based on the allegations, the police registered a case against the accused under Section 376 and the Pasco Act, but the victim's medical examination did not reveal any signs of physical abuse. Also, there was no injury mark on the victim's body. Apart from this, it could not be confirmed that the age of the victim was less than 18 years, on the basis of which the court acquitted the accused.Challenging the decision of the Special Court, the state government appealed to the High Court. After hearing the case, the High Court rejected the state government's appeal and said that the age of the victim could not be proved to be less than 18 years, so it was not possible to convict the accused. This judgment has presented an important perspective on the allegations of sexual relations under false promises of marriage, in which the decision to acquit the accused has become an important example of judicial process.