‘Not consensual sex’: Karnataka High Court awards man life term for rape, Rs 7 lakh fine

The Karnataka High Court has overturned a man's acquittal and sentenced him to life imprisonment for rape, ordering a fine of Rs 7 lakh. The court ruled that the trial court had failed to properly examine the survivor's testimony about the alleged consensual sexual relationship, which was based on the promise of marriage. The court stated that the accused had severely impacted the woman's life and showed no respect for her child's social standing.

Additionally, the court imposed a fine of Rs 7 lakh, with Rs 5 lakh to be kept in a fixed deposit for the survivor's child. The District Legal Services Authority was directed to provide maximum financial compensation. The court emphasized that the woman's sexual relations with the accused cannot be considered consensual if both parties engaged in intercourse with the promise of marriage.