Long-Term Physical Relationship Not Rape: High Court
The High Court ruled that a long-term consensual physical relationship cannot be considered rape. The court acquitted the accused and modified the sentence for other offences.
Important High Court Verdict on Rape Case
Long-Term Physical Relationship Not Rape: High Court
Cuttack, Odisha, 15th Jan, 2026: Many rape cases reach the courts, where women seek justice through legal means. In several cases, the accused are punished under the law. However, in some cases, after examining all facts and evidence, the High Court overturns the verdict of the lower court or acquits the accused. Such cases often involve disputes related to long-term physical relationships and allegations of rape.
In a significant judgment, the High Court ruled that a long-term consensual physical relationship cannot be treated as coercion. On this basis, a person cannot be convicted of rape. The court acquitted Mahendra Pradhan of rape charges and modified his sentence for other offences.
According to the case, in 2006, the victim filed a complaint at Tarbha police station in Sonepur district. She alleged that Mahendra Pradhan raped her at knifepoint and continued a physical relationship with her for a long time on the promise of marriage. She also claimed that after becoming pregnant, the accused gave her medicine to terminate the pregnancy, which caused her health to deteriorate.
The lower court had convicted Mahendra Pradhan and sentenced him to seven years in prison. He later challenged the verdict in the High Court. During the hearing, the High Court observed that the physical relationship continued for more than two years, and the victim did not report the matter during this period. The court stated that such a prolonged relationship cannot be termed rape. School records also showed that the victim was around 19 years old at the time and not a minor.
Medical evidence confirmed that the pregnancy had been terminated and that the accused had administered the abortion drugs. While the court dismissed the rape charges, it upheld the findings related to other offences. The High Court ordered that the sentence already served by the accused would be considered sufficient punishment.
What's Your Reaction?
