Last Updated:November 19, 2025, 22:14 IST

The woman filed a rape and assault case against the man, who was also her neighbour, alleging that they had been in a five-year-long relationship

A 24-year-old woman was sentenced to 42 months in prison by a court in Lucknow for falsely accusing a married neighbour of rape. The man, who had initially been arrested and released on bail, was acquitted after the court found no evidence to support the woman’s claims of rape and assault.

The woman was convicted under sections 217 (false information intended to mislead a public servant), 248 (false charge with intent to cause harm), and 331 (punishment for house trespass) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. She was taken into judicial custody following her conviction on Tuesday.

According to a report by The Indian Express, the woman had filed the filed a rape and assault case against the man earlier this year, alleging that they had been in a five-year-long relationship.

In her complaint, the woman alleged that the man persuaded her to have sexual relations with him by promising marriage. She also claimed that when she visited his house on May 30, his family members assaulted and threatened her.

However, during the investigation, police found evidence that the two were in a consensual relationship. After the man married another woman in February, the woman began pressuring him to end his marriage. Despite knowing about his marital status, she continued to visit his home. The woman also refused to undergo a medical examination, and no injuries were found to support her allegations of assault.

After reviewing the evidence, the court concluded that the woman had misused the law to falsely implicate the man and his family. The prosecution stated that the woman had trespassed into his house with the intent to disrupt his married life.

In its judgment, the court noted that many rape cases arising from failed consensual relationships were burdening the criminal justice system.

“Many such cases come before the courts where the parties, being adults, have voluntarily engaged in sexual relations over a span of time. And when the relationship eventually fails, whether due to incompatibility or other differences, allegations of rape are pressed,” the court observed.

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The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More

The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More

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