Bengaluru (Aug. 28): The Karnataka High Court has quashed a rape case filed by a woman against a young man accused of engaging in sexual activity with her in an OYO room after meeting through a dating app. The bench of Justice M. Nagaprasanna ruled that "consensual sexual relations do not constitute a criminal offense."The petitioner, Sampson Anthony, a resident of Bannerughatta Road, had approached the court seeking to quash the FIR registered at Konanakunte Police Station and the ongoing trial in the subordinate court.

After examining the complaint, charge sheet, and chat messages exchanged between the accused and the complainant, the bench concluded that they indicated a fully consensual relationship.The order stated, "Conducting a trial in such cases would amount to misuse of the legal process and lead to miscarriage of justice." The complainant and the accused had met through a dating app and maintained contact for a considerable period. They had exchanged photos, videos, and messages on Instagram. https://dv7jujfts4bjf.cloudfront.net/Untitled design - 2025-10-24T080142.136.png_2025-10-24T02:32:24.619Z

On August 11, 2024, the accused picked up the complainant from her apartment, took her to a restaurant for dinner, and the two proceeded to an OYO hotel afterward. The next morning, the accused dropped her off near her apartment. That same day, the complainant, experiencing physical discomfort, visited a private hospital where she alleged, "The accused coerced me into sexual activity in the OYO room and violated my lack of consent." Based on her complaint, the police registered an FIR under Section 64 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for rape and arrested the accused.

Following investigation, they filed a charge sheet and initiated trial proceedings.The bench reviewed the photos, videos, and Instagram chats submitted by the accused's counsel, determining that they established the relationship was consensual and based on mutual consent. Citing Supreme Court precedents, the order clarified, "The subtle distinction between consensual sexual relations and rape must be observed. “IMF Projects 4.5% GDP Growth for Asia in 2025 Amid Trade Tensions and Tech Resilience”

Even if accompanied by disappointment, unless in clear cases of criminality, it cannot be converted into an offense under criminal law."The government counsel, representing the police, argued, "Sexual misconduct involving promises of marriage is also an offense under BNS. Without evidence of consent, it should be determined in trial." However, the bench rejected this contention. With this ruling, all legal proceedings against the accused stand quashed.