The Supreme Court of India recently shared important observations regarding pre-marital relationships while hearing a bail plea.
The case involved a man accused of rape under the pretext of a false promise of marriage. The complainant alleged that the man, who was already married and later married someone else, established physical relations with her after they met on a matrimonial website.
A bench consisting of Justice B.V. Nagarathna and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan expressed concern over the increasing number of such cases. Justice Nagarathna orally remarked that individuals should exercise extreme caution before entering into physical relationships before marriage.
She noted that regardless of how close a relationship may seem, a man and a woman remain “strangers” until they are legally wed. The Justice emphasized that people should “not trust anyone” blindly in these situations, advising a more cautious approach to avoid future legal and personal complications.
In this specific case, the complainant had even traveled to Dubai at the man’s request, where she alleged he recorded intimate videos without her consent. While acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations, the Court noted that when relationships start as consensual, they often lead to complex legal battles that are difficult to prove in a trial. Consequently, the bench suggested that the two parties try mediation to find a settlement.
The Court’s comments highlight a traditional view of social caution, suggesting that if an individual is strict about the sanctity of marriage, they should be equally careful about their actions before the wedding takes place. The matter has been scheduled for further discussion to explore a possible settlement between the parties.
