In a recent landmark judgement, the Supreme Court of India has ruled that long-term physical and consensual extramarital relationships can’t simply be classified as ‘rape’ if one party ultimately deceits the other.
Justices B.V. Nagarathna and N. Kotiswar Singh expressed their growing concern over the weaponizing of long-term relationships into criminal cases when disputes arise.
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The case involved an FIR filed by Vanita S. Jadhav in 2017, accusing Mahesh Damu Khare, a married man, of ‘raping’ her during their long-term relationship since 2008!
The court dismissed the FIR, stating the necessity of quick complaints in such cases, rather than waiting until things turn sour.
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Social media has been buzzing with reactions from various people expressing their opinions. One user said, “This is a fair judgment; relationships should not be weaponized in disputes.”
Some others also criticized the ruling, with one user in particular commenting, “This could embolden men to exploit women by making false promises.”
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This case highlights the complexities when something as intimate as physical relationships is mixed in the web of legality. It also raises questions regarding personal responsibility, legal safeguards, and societal norms.
While the judgement in this case has been monumental, there is no doubt that it is also deeply controversial, polarizing public opinion on both sides.
