Delhi HC Slaps Rs 20K Fine on Woman for ‘Reckless’ Assault Complaint Against Man After 15-Year Live-In Relationship

The Delhi High Court has imposed a cost of Rs 20,000 on a woman who had filed a sexual assault case against a man with whom she had been in a consensual relationship for 15 years.

"The lodging of a complaint under Sections 69 and 351(2) of the BNS, 2023, involving serious allegations of physical assault and wrongful restraint, cannot be permitted to be filed in a casual or reckless manner. Such allegations carry grave consequences andimpact not only the accused but also the administration of justice," the Court said.

A bench led by Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma was hearing a petition filed by the man seeking quashing of the FIR registered under Sections 69 (Assault) and 351(2) (Restraint) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, on the basis of a compromise with the complainant.

The petitioner and the woman had been in a close relationship for the past 15 years and were in a live-in relationship since 2019. During the course of their relationship, the man had repeatedly assured the woman that he would marry her after finalising his divorce from his legally wedded wife.

Relying on these assurances, the woman continued to cohabit with him. The second motion for divorce was scheduled for May 2025. However, before it could be filed, certain misunderstandings and disputes arose between the parties, following which the woman lodged a complaint alleging misconduct.

Before the High Court, the petitioner’s counsel argued that the FIR arose out of a personal and private dispute between the two individuals, who had been in a consensual relationship. It was contended that the complaint was filed amid emotional and medical difficulties faced by the complainant at the time.

The counsel further submitted that the matter had now been amicably resolved, and the woman no longer wished to pursue the case. Therefore, the court was urged to quash the FIR, noting that the continuation of criminal proceedings would serve no useful purpose.

Opposing the plea, the APP appearing for the State argued that compromises in cases involving allegations of sexual exploitation undermine the seriousness of such offences and dilute legal safeguards available to women under the criminal justice system. It was submitted that the FIR should not be quashed.

After hearing the parties, the Court observed, "At the same time, this Court cannot lose sight of the fact that if a person has been falsely implicated or if the allegations have arisen out of a genuine misunderstanding, then compelling such a person to undergo the trial would be contrary to the very principles of fairness and justice."

While quashing the FIR against the petitioner, the Court said, "Accordingly, the FIR bearing no. 154/2025, registered at Police Station Prashant Vihar, Delhi for the commission of offence punishable under Section 69/351(2) of BNS and consequential proceedings emanating therefrom are quashed."

Case Title: ANIL VERMA versus THE STATE GOVT OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR.

Judgement Date: 15 July, 2025

Bench: Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma