Can't keep live-in relations outside purview of rape: Delhi High Court

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has refused to keep live-in relationships outside the purview of rape under the Indian Penal Code, saying it would amount to giving them the status of matrimony, which the legislature has chosen "not to do".

The court made the observation while hearing a PIL, which had sought direction to the government to keep the cases of live-in relationships outside the purview of the offence of rape under the IPC.

"As far as the relief sought, of keeping the live-in relationships outside the purview of Section 376 (rape) of the IPC is concerned, the same would amount to giving the live-in relationships, the status of matrimony and which the legislature has chosen not to do," a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw said.

"All that we can observe is, that a live-in-relationship constitutes a distinct class from marriage. It is also not as if the defence of consent would not be available in such cases to the accused. We do not find any merit in the petition and dismiss the same," the judge added.

The PIL also sought direction that the complaint lodged by a live-in partner against the other should be registered under section 420 (cheating), not section 376 (rape), which was turned down by the court, saying it cannot pass such order.

The court was hearing a PIL filed by Anil Dutt Sharma who had contended that according to the records it has been seen that in many cases, courts acquit men accused of rape as the women file false case.

"In more than 70 per cent cases, the accused is found not guilty and other associated family members of the acquitted accused face humiliation in society," the plea had said.

It also sought direction to the Centre and Delhi government to secure constitutional rights of the person acquitted from rape charges by the way of compensation and registration of cases against those who misuse the law.

It had said that police should not arrest a person only on the basis of an allegation by a woman prior to conducting preliminary enquiry and getting a medical report, but before arrest, sufficient cause should be recorded by a senior officer to avoid false implication.