[S.376 IPC] Calcutta High Court Quashes False Promise To Marry Case Against Man 7 Yrs After "Consensual" Relationship With Complainant

The Calcutta High Court quashed a rape case filed seven years after a consensual relationship between the man and the complainant. The case had been filed after a prolonged consensual relationship, with the complainant alleging rape, despite previous consent. The court ruled that such an inordinate delay in filing the case after the relationship ended raises doubts about the veracity of the allegations. The judgment took into account the time lapse and the nature of the relationship between the parties, emphasizing that the delay itself could be grounds for quashing the case. The decision underscores the importance of timely filing in criminal cases, especially when the relationship was previously consensual.