India SC Rejects Assault Charges in 15-Year Live-In Case

The Supreme Court of India on Monday declined to revive criminal charges of sexual assault against a man's former live-in partner, ruling that the end of a consensual 15-year relationship does not constitute an offense. A bench comprising Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan heard the woman's petition challenging a Madhya Pradesh High Court order that had quashed her first information report alleging exploitation on a false promise of marriage.

The woman, who was an 18-year-old widow when she entered the relationship, claimed the man, introduced through her brother-in-law, had promised marriage but concealed his existing marriage and exploited her physically. The couple lived together for 15 years and had a child, now around seven or eight years old. Her lawyer argued the relationship began under deception, noting the man had married multiple times.

The bench expressed sympathy for the woman but questioned the basis for criminal charges. "Where is the question of an offence when the relationship was consensual? They were living together, had a child, and lived together for 15 years. Now, after there is no marriage, she alleges sexual assault?" Justice Nagarathna remarked....