“Raped her physically and mentally”; Gujarat Court sentences man to rigorous life imprisonment for raping and impregnating minor daughter
“The Court has no words to describe its anguish against the heinous act of the victim’s father.”
Rape
‘Possibility of accused exploiting victim’s fear can’t be ruled out’; Rajasthan High Court refuses to quash FIRs alleging rape on false promise of marriage
“In Indian societal norms, the matters relating to sexual assault in large number of cases are not being reported by women timely… The possibility of accused taking benefit of the situation… cannot be ruled out.”
NHRC takes suo motu cognizance of minor rape victim’s death at Patna Medical College and Hospital Bihar due to delay in treatment
The NHRC noted that if the contents of the news report were true, it raised a serious issue of violation of human rights.
‘No averment that he refused to marry her, or marriage wasn’t possible’; Himachal Pradesh HC discharges man accused of raping fiancé under false promise to marry
“The fact that the parties maintained a relationship for five long years would make it difficult to hold that the sexual relationship was based upon a promise to marry.”
[POCSO] Alcohol-Fueled attempt to grope breasts not attempted rape: Calcutta High Court
“The evidence of the victim girl and the medical examination report prima facie do not indicate that there was any penetration or rape committed by the petitioner on the victim girl nor that he attempted to penetrate.”
‘Husband did not complain of adultery, S. 497 ingredients not made out’; Chhattisgarh HC acquits man convicted of adultery in false promise to marry case
“In the present case, aggrieved party that is the husband of the complainant has not made complaint of adultery before the Court; therefore, ingredients of Section 497 of the IPC have not been made out against the convict.”
“Marital Rape is not recognised under IPC”; MP High Court upholds husband’s discharge from Section 377 IPC charge
“The definition of ‘rape’ excludes acts between a man and his wife, not below the age of fifteen years, performed during the subsistence of a valid marriage.”
‘Husband’s promise to marry as per religious customs cannot be said to be false promise once marriage is legally registered’; Bombay HC quashes rape and cheating case against husband
Respondent 3 was fully aware of the bond of matrimony existing between her and the petitioner after the civil registration of their marriage and consciously decided to engage in consensual sexual interactions. So, it cannot be said that her consent for sexual relationship is vitiated by a promise to marry based on religious customs.
DNA report merely proves paternity, and it cannot by itself establish absence of consent: Delhi HC acquits a man convicted of rape
Despite having multiple opportunities to report the alleged acts, complainant remained silent. Her complaint came only after the pregnancy was discovered. The Court stated that these facts lend credence to the possibility that the FIR was a reaction to social pressure and the nature of the relationship was re-cast retrospectively to explain an unwanted pregnancy.
Unlawful religious conversion and rape are non-compoundable offences; proceedings cannot be quashed based on settlement between parties: Allahabad HC
“Any compromise or settlement with respect to the offence of rape, against the honour of a woman, which shakes the very core of her life and tantamounts to a serious blow to her supreme honour, offending both, her esteem and dignity, is not acceptable to this Court.”
Read why Gujarat High Court extended Asaram Bapu’s bail in 2013 rape case
“It cannot be said that an 86 years-old ailing person, who is desperate to get himself treated, can confine his treatment to a particular therapy or a particular system of medicines.”
CRIMINAL LAW ROUNDUP: A quick recap of the top criminal cases from March 2025
Top criminal cases on quashing of proceedings, arrest, bail, acquittal, and more.
Supreme Court Roundup March 2025 | Stories on 2002 Gujarat Riots Case; Kashmir University VC murder; Rising student suicides; Tax officers’ arrest powers; and more
As March comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on the significant judgments, orders, and developments from the Supreme Court. This roundup provides an overview of the top stories, important cases, and key updates that made headlines this month. It also highlights some never-before-reported judgments, notable cases from SCC Weekly, a “Know Thy Judge” feature, as well as appointments and transfers by the Supreme Court.
HIGH COURT MARCH 2025 WEEKLY ROUNDUP | Stories on Lawrence Bishnoi Gang; Corruption case against Judges; Jagjit Singh Dallewal; and more
A quick legal roundup to cover important stories from all High Courts this week.
Woman though can’t commit rape, but can be held liable for abetment to rape under Section 109 IPC: MP High Court
““abetment is separate and distinct offence than rape” and if the act abetted is committed in consequences of the abetment, then the person i.e. man or woman abeting such crime is liable to be punished under Section 109 of IPC.”
Patriarchal to say that woman must foresee marriage problems solely because she is elder to her partner; DHC refuses to quash FIR against a man accused of rape on pretext of marriage
The accused, despite being fully aware of the age difference, actively pursued the relationship, gave assurances of marriage, and induced the victim to make financial and emotional commitments.
SC stays Allahabad HC decision which held that grabbing breasts & breaking minor’s pajama string is not attempt to rape
The Supreme Court had taken suo motu cognizance of the matter after an NGO ‘We the Women of India’ approached the Court against the impugned decision.
‘Accused and victim now happily married, continuing prosecution would cause unnecessary harassment to them and their children’; SC quashes POCSO proceedings
Supreme Court said that the High Court overlooked the fact that the Trial Court could not have recorded the settlement, and this was a suitable case for the High Court to exercise its jurisdiction under Section 482 CrPC to quash the proceedings. As a result, the parties were unnecessarily compelled to approach this Court.
Know Thy Newly Appointed Supreme Court Judge: Justice Joymalya Bagchi
Justice Joymalya Bagchi formerly serving as Judge of Calcutta High Court was appointed to the Supreme Court on 10-3-2025 and is in line to become the CJI in 2031.
Misuse of Advocate-Client Relationship | MP High Court refuses to quash FIR in Rape allegations against Advocate
“Statement of prosecutrix recorded under Section 164 of CrPC cannot be given preference over the FIR and the statement recorded under Section 161 of CrPC.”