'Fake' rape cases reported as love turns sour

'Fake' rape cases reported as love turns sour


RANCHI: Many rape cases lodged in the district are often found fake after investigations, says a report by Ranchi police.
Police, during investigation, have found that a number of cases of "consensual sex" have been labelled as rape. It has been seen in many instances that the accused and the victim had an affair which later had turned intimate. The girl would later bring charges of rape against the boy after they break up. Lawyers say such cases turn weak and the accused are awarded lesser punishment.

A total of 35 cases of rape have been reported in the district in the last four months. In 18 cases, police have completed investigation and submitted chargesheet saying the victim had a relationship with the accused.

Ranchi SSP Saket Kumar Singh said, "A large number of rape cases are of this nature." Though initially, a case is lodged under Section 376 (rape), investigation reveals an altogether different story, said another police officer.

On January 4, 2013, Nitu Singh (name changed) had lodged an FIR with Tatisilwai police station claiming that a boy named Siril Tirki of the same police station area had raped her. The boy was arrested after the FIR. But during investigation, it was found that the victim was having an affair with the accused.

Similarly, Seema Kumari (name changed) had lodged an FIR with Nagri police station on March 11 where the woman claimed that Bandhan Oroan had raped her. The police soon arrested the accused. But during investigation, they found that the duo had physical relationship with mutual consent but the man later refused to marry her. In a total of 18 cases the police have submitted the charge sheet with a remark that the victim and the accused were into a relationship.

Senior lawyer Nitin Kumar Pasari said several such cases have been found where an accused had got intimate with a girl promising to marry her persistently tells her that he cannot live without her but ultimately refuses to marry her. It shows that he never intended to marry her and as such the punishment under Section 417 (cheating) of the IPC is justified. The punishment in this case is imprisonment for one year or fine or both.

In the case of rape (IPC 376), the law says the accused shall be punished with imprisonment term of seven to 10 years, which may extend to life imprisonment. The accused shall also be liable to fine.

Rajiv Kumar, senior lawyer says that in some cases the court charges the accused under 376 but such remarks in the case diary always weaken the case.

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