SC Quashes FIRs in False Promise of Marriage Case

In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court quashed two FIRs in the false promise of marriage case, calling it a gross misuse of law. Learn how this impacts Section 69 BNS cases.

What began as a matrimonial match soon spiraled into a courtroom battle.

The man, a U.S.-based professional of Indian origin, and the woman, a highly educated 30-year-old from Hyderabad, connected through a matchmaking platform. Their relationship quickly evolved into talk of marriage. Wedding arrangements were underway – hotel bookings, family meetings, venue discussions. Everything looked set.

But when the relationship fell apart, the fallout didn’t stay personal.

What followed was not just heartbreak, but criminal prosecution – two FIRs, serious charges under rape laws, and the invocation of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

This is the story of how one broken promise turned into two criminal cases – and how the Supreme Court stepped in to stop what it called an abuse of law.

To Cut a Long Story Short of False Promise of Marriage Case

He met her through a matrimony site.

She liked that he lived in the U.S.
They agreed to marry.

She was 30, educated, and ambitious. He booked the hotel. The venue was ready. But by June 2021, something had shifted.

He backed out.

And that’s when the law entered the relationship.

The First FIR: One Incident, One Complaint

The first police complaint came right after the fallout. She said he promised marriage and backed off. She accused him of cheating and harassment. A written agreement had been signed in front of a police officer, she said — where he promised to marry her.

But after that, she claimed, he became cold, evasive, and pressurised her into sex on 24 June 2021 – with no real intent to marry.

FIR No. 751/2021 was filed.
He was granted anticipatory bail.
The court began its slow churn.

Then Came a Second FIR… With New Accusations

Seven months later – FIR No. 103/2022 was filed.
This time, the story changed.

Suddenly, it wasn’t just about one day. It was about multiple sexual encounters. Backdated. Between May and early June 2021.

And a new detail was added: that he refused to marry her because she was from a lower caste. The SC/ST Act was now part of the case.

So what happened in those seven months?
Why weren’t those prior dates mentioned in the first FIR?
Why did the caste allegation only surface after bail was granted?

A Pattern Starts to Emerge

The accused produced evidence – transcripts of chats, messages, and even a previous closure report. The complainant had filed a similar FIR in 2019 against another man – an assistant professor – with near-identical allegations.

In the chats, she described herself as “manipulative.” She spoke about targeting a “green card holder.” She even said she could “move on to the next victim.”

This wasn’t just hearsay. These were screenshots and audio clips submitted to the court.

The Supreme Court Steps In

On 29 May 2025, the Supreme Court called it what it was:

“A gross abuse of the process of court… A bundle of lies full of fabricated and malicious unsubstantiated allegations.”

The court ruled that the allegations across both FIRs were not just inconsistent – they were irreconcilable.

• The complainant never mentioned the “multiple incidents” in her first FIR.

• The caste discrimination claim was a late addition, never made earlier.

• Her prior conduct showed a pattern of using false promise to marry allegations in failed relationships.

 Read: What Does Section 69 BNS Say? Full Legal Breakdown and Explanation

The Verdict

Both FIRs  No. 751 of 2021 and No. 103 of 2022  were quashed in full.

The Supreme Court underlined that a failed relationship, or withdrawal of consent to marry, does not automatically convert sex into rape – especially when there’s no evidence of coercion, fraud, or force.

Our View

This case is a reminder that Section 69 BNS  though created to protect  can be twisted into a tool of emotional retaliation.

When courts begin recognising such misuse, it’s not just a relief for the falsely accused – it’s a moment of course correction for the justice system itself.

Relationships can end. Promises can break. But not every heartbreak is a crime.

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Disclaimer: This post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every legal situation is unique, and you should not act or refrain from acting based on any information on this site without seeking professional legal advice.