Published on : 19 Nov 2025, 4:10 am 3 min read

The Kerala High Court recently quashed criminal proceedings against a 38-year-old man accused of rape and cheating, holding that his eight-year intimate relationship with the complainant-woman was consensual and not induced by any promise of marriage [Pradeep v The Station House Officer & another]

Justice G Girish observed that the complainant began a relationship with the accused while her husband was alive, and continued the relationship for four years even after his death, making it clear that she was in a consensual intimate relationship with the accused, which could not be termed as rape based on false promise of marriage.

" It is not possible to accept the contention of the de facto complainant that she had extended conse

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