Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Monday observed that being in love is not an offence while hearing a petition filed by a youth seeking to quash a rape case against him for sexually assaulting the minor under the pretext of marriage.
The girl's parents informed the high court that they would not like to pursue the matter as it has been decided she girl would be married to the arrested accused after she attains the age of 18 after three years.
"Being in love is not an offence. We need to look at these matters in a different angle. We will ensure that the girl is happily married. If the guardians of the girl
themselves have consented to the match then it needs to be handled carefully," a division bench of justices VM Kanade and RG Ketkar said.
Amol Dhawale (23) was arrested on September 19 last year by Islampur police in Sangli district for allegedly sexually assaulting the minor at a hotel room in Khandala under the pretext of marriage.
The victim and the accused had been in relationship for long.
According to police, the victim had accompanied two of her cousins (both minors) and the accused to Khandala. On her return, the girl's mother learnt about the incident and lodged a complaint.
Following the family's decision to amicably settle the matter, Dhawale approached the high court seeking to revoke the FIR registered against him.
The matter has been kept for further hearing later this week.
PTI
First Published: Monday, February 06, 2012, 20:24