Legal Mistakes Men Make After a Section 69 BNS FIR

This article explains the most common legal mistakes men make after a Section 69 BNS FIR and how those mistakes weaken otherwise strong cases.

An FIR under Section 69 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 can turn a man’s life upside down overnight. Many men panic, rely on bad advice, or take emotionally driven steps that permanently damage their legal defence.

What most people do not realise is this:
In Section 69 BNS cases, what you do immediately after the FIR often matters more than what actually happened in the relationship.

Understanding Section 69 BNS First

Before discussing mistakes, clarity is essential.

Only a woman can be the complainant
Only a man can be the accused
A failed relationship or refusal to marry is not a crime
The prosecution must prove dishonest intention from the beginning
Consent and conduct play a crucial role

Despite this, many innocent men lose legal ground due to avoidable errors.

Top Legal Mistakes Men Make After a Section 69 BNS FIR

FIR filed under Section 69 BNS for false promise to marry? Learn the most common legal mistakes men make after an FIR and how to protect your rights under Indian law.

Mistake 1: Assuming “Nothing Will Happen Because It Was Consensual”

This is the biggest mistake.

Many men believe that since the relationship was consensual, the law will automatically protect them. That assumption is dangerous.

Police do not examine intent at the FIR stage. Courts do.

If you delay legal action thinking the truth will come out on its own, you risk arrest, coercive investigation, and loss of anticipatory bail opportunity.

Mistake 2: Not Applying for Anticipatory Bail Immediately

Section 69 BNS is a serious and non-trivial offence.

Men often wait for police notices or informal assurances before applying for anticipatory bail. This delay gives the prosecution leverage.

Anticipatory bail is not an admission of guilt. It is a constitutional protection. Delay weakens your credibility and strengthens the prosecution narrative.

Mistake 3: Giving Detailed Statements to Police Without Legal Advice

Many accused men try to “explain everything” to the police.

This almost always backfires.

Police statements are rarely recorded neutrally. Emotional explanations, admissions, or relationship details can later be used selectively against you.

Your version should be presented through counsel, not impulse.

Mistake 4: Contacting or Negotiating with the Complainant

Another fatal error is calling, messaging, or trying to “settle” the matter directly.

This can lead to:

Allegations of pressure or intimidation
Additional sections being added
Bail rejection due to alleged influence attempts

Even well intentioned communication can be legally misinterpreted.

Mistake 5: Deleting Chats, Photos, or Call Records

Men often delete data out of fear or embarrassment.

This is a serious mistake.

In Section 69 BNS cases, digital conduct is often the strongest defence, not a liability. Deleting evidence allows the prosecution to claim adverse inference and fabrication.

Preservation is protection.

Mistake 6: Believing FIR Automatically Means Conviction

Many men mentally surrender after an FIR.

This fear leads to rushed settlements, forced marriages, or false confessions.

In reality, conviction rates in false promise to marry cases are low when:

The relationship was long and consensual
There is no proof of initial dishonest intent
Conduct contradicts allegations

Fear driven decisions ruin otherwise defensible cases.

Mistake 7: Filing Weak or Poorly Drafted Quashing Petitions

Some men rush to file quashing petitions without proper legal strategy.

Courts reject poorly framed petitions, which then become obstacles in future proceedings.

Quashing under Article 226 or Section 482 BNSS requires precise pleading on:

Absence of initial mens rea
Abuse of criminal process
Civil nature of dispute

Timing and drafting are critical.

Mistake 8: Ignoring the Emotional and Psychological Impact

Legal defence collapses when mental health collapses.

Men underestimate the trauma of false accusations and stop functioning effectively in work and litigation.

Courts observe conduct. Stability and consistency strengthen credibility.

Seeking professional and legal support is not weakness. It is strategy.

Conclusion

Section 69 BNS is a serious law, but it is not meant to criminalise failed relationships.

Most men do not lose because the law is against them. They lose because of early mistakes driven by fear, shame, or misinformation. If you are facing a Section 69 BNS FIR:

Act early
Act legally
Act strategically

Your silence, panic, or impulsive actions can do more harm than the allegation itself.

Every Section 69 BNS case is fact specific. This article is for legal awareness only and not a substitute for personalised legal advice.

You May Also Read: Legal Remedies for Men Falsely Accused of False Promise to Marry

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Disclaimer: This article is for legal awareness and general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every Section 69 BNS case is fact specific and each legal situation is unique. Readers should not act or refrain from acting based on this information without seeking independent professional legal advice.