MUMBAI: In a case highlighting the emotional and legal complexities of relationships forged in the digital age, the Bombay High Court has quashed an FIR registered under Section 69 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) of sexual assault after noting that the parties had amicably settled their dispute and the complainant no longer wished to pursue the prosecution.The FIR was lodged at Arnala Police Station in November 2025 following a complaint by a victim woman who alleged that she had been induced into a physical relationship on the assurance of marriage after meeting the man through a popular matrimonial website. According to the complaint, what began as a sincere interaction gradually developed into a close relationship, with repeated assurances of marriage forming the basis of trust between them.However, the relationship later broke down when the man allegedly expressed unwillingness to marry, citing differences in religious and cultural backgrounds. Feeling emotionally betrayed, the woman lodged an FIR, invoking Section 69 of the BNS, which deals with sexual relations induced by a false promise of marriage.As the proceedings progressed, the woman submitted an affidavit before the High Court stating that the matter had been resolved amicably and that she had no objection to quashing the FIR. The court recorded that the affidavit was filed voluntarily, without any pressure or coercion, and that both parties were personally present and identified by their respective advocates.A Division Bench of Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam A. Ankhad observed that while courts are generally cautious in quashing criminal proceedings involving serious allegations, the inherent powers of the High Court can be exercised to secure the ends of justice depending on the facts of each case. Referring to a recent Supreme Court judgment, the bench noted that continuation of the proceedings would serve no useful purpose once the complainant herself was unwilling to pursue the case.Advocate Nirali Sharma for victim, and advocate Vijaykumar Mishra and Kunal Patel for the accused and additional public prosecutor Mahalaxmi Ganapathy appeared in the case. Legal experts said that such cases underscore the growing number of disputes arising from online matrimonial platforms, where private assurances can carry serious legal implications. The court’s order also reflects the deeply personal nature of such conflicts, where emotional resolution and forgiveness can ultimately shape the course of legal proceedings.
