Failed relationship not ground to allege rape: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has ruled that a failed relationship is not a sufficient ground to allege rape. This significant judgment clarifies the legal interpretation of consent in sexual assault cases, particularly in scenarios where relationships have soured. The court emphasized that the mere breakdown of a relationship, even if it involved promises, does not retroactively negate consent given during the course of that relationship, unless there's evidence of coercion, fraud, or misrepresentation that directly vitiated consent at the time of the act. This ruling aims to prevent the misuse of rape laws for personal vendettas or emotional distress arising from broken relationships.