In an order dated 12 February 2026, a Delhi court discharged a man who had been accused of rape on the false pretext of marriage and of criminal intimidation (Sections 376 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code). The case had been registered in 2017. Advocate Pravesh Dabas appeared as defence counsel.
What the court considered
- The couple had legally married in 2015, about two years before the FIR, and the court found a valid, subsisting marriage. The court said this removed the basis of the allegation that consent had been obtained on a false promise of marriage.
- In her statement before a magistrate, the complainant confirmed the court marriage and did not allege forced intercourse; the court read her grievance as being that the accused had left her after the marriage.
- The allegation of criminal intimidation through messages was uncorroborated: the defence pointed out that the complainant had declined to hand over her phone to the investigating officer.
- Restating the law on framing charges, the court said a judge must find grave suspicion on the material and must not act as a "post office" for the chargesheet. It added that genuine cases must be clearly separated from litigation arising out of consensual relationships that later turn acrimonious.
The court found insufficient material to proceed and discharged the accused of all charges.
Where it was reported
- The Times of India — "'Pressure tactic': Court clears rape accused" (print, 6 March 2026), and online as "Rape case filed as pressure tactic: Delhi court discharges accused"
The online report spells the advocate's name "Parvesh".
