In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court has absolved a man of rape charges, concluding a 27-year legal struggle. Initially convicted for the alleged kidnapping and rape of a woman who was a minor at the time, the accused has since married the complainant. They have been husband and wife for 21 years and share four children.
The case, which unfolded under the scrutiny of Justices BV Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma, was reevaluated under Article 142 of the Constitution, used sparingly to deliver “complete justice.” The apex court noted that maintaining the conviction would inflict unwarranted harm on the family unit that has flourished over two decades.
The prosecution of the man began with an incident that dated back to 1997. Following a conviction by a trial court in 1999 and an affirmation by the Chhattisgarh High Court in 2019, the accused faced a complicated legal battle that saw him in and out of custody. Despite the high court’s decision, the accused married the complainant in 2003, during a period when he was released on bail.
Their subsequent marriage and family life became a central argument in the Supreme Court appeal. The defense argued that the continuation of the conviction would not only be harsh but also disruptive to the stability of their established family life.
The State initially resisted the appeal, emphasizing the complainant’s minor status at the time of the incident. However, the Supreme Court, referencing its own precedents in similar cases like K Dhandapani Vs State (2022) and Dasari Srikanth Vs State of Telangana (2024), opted to prioritize the rehabilitation and the current familial bonds over strict adherence to legal formalities.
In its ruling, the court asserted the use of Article 142 was justified by the unique circumstances of the case, aiming to balance legal principles with pragmatic justice. The final verdict, released on January 30, absolved the man of all charges, allowing him to continue his life without the shadow of a past conviction.
