Bilaspur. The Chhattisgarh High Court has granted relief to a man accused of having sexual relations with a woman under false pretenses of marriage. The court upheld the trial court's decision, which acquitted his lover, who was 17 years younger than him. The woman challenged this decision and appealed to the High Court, but the division bench dismissed the appeal based on the evidence.

The case is from the Champa area. The woman's husband died in 2020. Later, in 2021, while in Champa for her children's exams, she met the young man. They began talking and gradually became close.

The woman alleged that the man, under the promise of marriage, forcibly had sex with her in his rented apartment on June 11, 2022. According to the woman, after becoming pregnant, she was forced to take abortion pills under pressure from the man. He then refused to marry her and even assaulted her. Based on the complaint, the police registered a case and presented the challan in court.

The trial court said that the relationship was consensual.

During the trial, the trial court examined the woman's statement and other evidence. The court found that the relationship between the two was consensual. The man was acquitted as the charge of forced intercourse was not proven.

The High Court refused to interfere in the decision

The woman appealed the trial court's decision to the High Court. During the hearing, the Division Bench considered the woman's testimony and statements made during cross-examination. The Court found that the woman was educated and capable of understanding her own interests and harms.

The High Court also stated that there was insufficient evidence on record to substantiate the allegations of forced abortion and assault. Therefore, there was no basis for interference with the trial court's decision. The court dismissed the woman's appeal and upheld the man's acquittal.