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The Uttarakhand High Court has quashed a rape prosecution arising from a relationship between two educated adults who met through a matrimonial website.
The complaint referred to sexual relations during trips to Rishikesh and Coorg with common friends. The court noted that the complainant raised no prompt protest and initially sought action under domestic-violence law months later. It found that the record described a voluntary relationship that subsequently failed.
Justice Alok Mahra said the criminal law cannot be used to criminalise the mere breakdown of a consensual adult relationship. The 9 October 2026 order set aside the trial court’s refusal to discharge Kunal Bhakat and quashed the sessions case against him.
Explore topicsCriminal Law