Supreme Court Rules Consensual Relationships Cannot Be Labeled Rape After Breakup

The <b>Supreme Court</b> has clarified that physical intimacy within a consensual relationship cannot be prosecuted as <b>rape</b> simply because the relationship later sours. The bench emphasized that the law cannot be weaponized to settle personal scores or address the emotional fallout of a breakup. This ruling serves as a critical legal boundary, distinguishing between genuine criminal intent and the complexities of failed personal commitments, ensuring that the judicial process remains focused on actual offenses rather than private grievances. While the legal system often struggles with the backlog of cases, this verdict highlights the persistent issue of <b>misuse of criminal laws</b> in matrimonial and relationship disputes. Courts are frequently burdened by litigation that stems from personal vendettas rather than systemic injustice, wasting precious judicial time. The judiciary is now pushing back against the trend of using penal provisions as a tool for harassment, demanding more evidence-based scrutiny in such sensitive matters. This judgment provides much-needed clarity for lower courts to handle relationship-based complaints with greater caution and objective legal standards.