In Brief
A widow developed a consensual relationship with a medical officer who promised to marry her, and they lived together intermittently for some years. Upon learning he had married another woman, she filed an FIR alleging rape under Section 376(2)(b) IPC. The Supreme Court held that consensual sexual relations motivated by love and companionship, without force or resistance, do not constitute rape despite the accused's failure to marry. The Court distinguished between rape and consensual sex, noting that a breach of promise to marry is a civil matter, not rape. Since the complainant failed to show commission of rape, the Court quashed the FIR and chargesheet under Section 482 CrPC.
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