MP High Court Dismisses Rape Case Filed After 18 Years by Second Wife
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has quashed a rape case that was filed 18 years after the alleged incident. The complaint was made by a woman claiming to be the second wife of the accused, but the Court found the allegations false and baseless.
Justice Anand Pathak passed the order, saying that the complaint was likely made to pressurize the man for money and property.
Background of the Case
A 41-year-old woman filed a complaint against 55-year-old Manohar Silawat, claiming he raped her in May 2001, and that she became pregnant from that relationship. She also claimed he continued to have physical relations with her and gave her money at times, threatening her if she refused.
However, the man denied all charges and filed a petition under Section 482 of CrPC, asking the Court to cancel the case.
Key Arguments by the Man’s Lawyer
The petitioner said that both he and the complainant are from the Scheduled Caste community, and followed a custom called ‘Natra’, similar to live-in or second marriage arrangements. He said this relationship was accepted even by his first wife.
He further argued that the woman filed a false rape case because he refused to give her full rights to his property.
His lawyer also pointed out that the woman had already filed a maintenance case under Section 125 CrPC, where she called herself his wife and said she was removed from his home in 2019.
Court’s Observations
The Court noted that:
- The woman and the man lived together.
- They have a son named Harsh, who is now 20 years old.
- The woman waited 18 years to file a rape complaint.
The Court said that allowing such delayed and false complaints would be unjust and would waste the time of the judiciary. It also harms the reputation of the accused, who has to face unnecessary legal trouble.
Final Judgment
The Court ruled that the allegations were made with malicious intent to harass the man and extract money from him. Therefore, it:
- Quashed the FIR
- Cancelled all related criminal proceedings
- Allowed the petitioner’s plea
⚖️ Case Title:
Manohar Silawat vs The State of Madhya Pradesh
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