Rajnish Singh @ Soni vs State Of U.P. 2025 INSC 308 - Rape On Promise To Marry

Indian Penal Code 1860 - Section 375- The accused is not liable for the offence of rape if the victim has wilfully agreed to maintain sexual relations (Para 35)- In a situation where the woman knowingly maintains the physical relationship for a prolonged period, it cannot be said with certainty that the said physical relationship was purely because of alleged promise made by the accused to marry her.- [Context: Supreme Court quashed a rape case against accused while observing thus: The long gap of 16 years between the first alleged act of sexual intercourse, continued relations for one and a half decade till the filing of the FIR convinces us that it is a clear case of a love affair/live in relationship gone sour.]