SC: Cannot turn a break-up into a criminal case

THE SC'S DECISION CAME WHILE QUASHING A RAPE CASE AGAINST A MAN, STRESSING BOUNDARIES OF LAW IN PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

- Utkarsh Anand

NEW DELHI: The breakup of a consensual relationship cannot be transformed into a criminal case, the Supreme Court held on Wednesday, adding that such cases, where no ingredients of criminality are established, amount to an abuse of the legal process.

"A mere breakup of a relationship between a consenting couple cannot result in initiation of criminal proceedings," ruled a bench of justices BV Nagarathna and N Kotiswar Singh, highlighting that personal disappointments in such partnerships should not be given the colour of legal culpability.

The decision of the court came while quashing a rape case against a man, with the court underscoring the boundaries of criminal law in matters of personal relationships.

"What was a consensual relationship between the parties at the initial stages cannot be given a colour of criminality when the said relationship does not fructify into a marital relationship," said the bench, emphasising that criminal law should not become a tool for vengeance in personal disputes.