Goa court discharges man accused of rape — ‘Law does not recognise marital rape’

A Sessions Court in Goa has acquitted a 30-year-old man accused of raping a woman, stating that Indian law does not recognize marital rape. The case involves an allegation that the accused had sexual intercourse with the victim without her consent during their civil marriage. The victim alleged that the first sexual encounter took place on July 13, 2024, after they completed their civil marriage on August 7, 2024.

Despite this, she decided to go ahead with the marriage. The court dismissed the charges, noting that the victim had engaged in sexual intercourse with the accused on several occasions, claiming it was forcible, yet she still married him. The court emphasized that the victim's decision to marry the accused does not constitute evidence of rape under Indian law.