The Madhya Pradesh High Court has dismissed a petition to quash a rape FIR, emphasizing the imperative to safeguard the “sacrosanct entity” of women under all conditions. The case arose from an incident where the accused was charged with raping a woman under the pretext of marriage and subsequently threatening her.
Justice Prem Narayan Singh of the Indore bench made the ruling, which came after the accused sought to have the FIR and pending lower court proceedings dismissed following a compromise with the victim. The court underscored that such settlements do not undermine the gravity of the offense nor the societal implications of rape.
According to the prosecution, the victim met the accused in a club in Indore in 2022, where he promised marriage before initiating a physical relationship. The relationship deteriorated when the accused allegedly became violent, assaulting the woman and forcing himself on her after she confronted him about his fidelity. The prosecution added that the accused later raped her, using threats to distribute objectionable photos and videos of her on social media as leverage.
In his decision, Justice Singh referenced multiple precedents which dictate that legal provisions concerning rape do not permit acquittal based on a compromise. He noted, “This case is related to the cruel commission of rape… It also emerged that the applicant tried to coerce the victim into physical relations not only on the pretext of marriage but also by threatening to post videos.”
The court’s ruling also highlighted the broader societal values, stating that the integrity and holiness of women are paramount, reflecting the deep respect traditionally accorded to women’s modesty and sanctity in Indian culture. “A woman survives as a mother, wife, sister, and daughter of every person. Her body is known as her temple as she is specifically known for her sacrifices,” the judgment read.
