Tue Feb 24 01:34:20 UTC 2026: Headline: Delhi High Court: Refusal to Marry After Physical Relationship Based on Assurance Can Attract Criminal Charges

The Story: The Delhi High Court has ruled that a man refusing to marry a woman after establishing a physical relationship based on a prior assurance of marriage, citing a ‘kundali’ (horoscope) mismatch, could face charges under Section 69 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). This section criminalizes sexual intercourse obtained through deceitful means. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma made the observation while denying bail to the accused, who had been in judicial custody since January 4, 2026.

The court emphasized that the physical relationship occurred over time due to the accused’s repeated assurances that there were no impediments to their marriage, including the ‘kundali’ match. The court argued that the sequence of events suggested more than just a failed relationship, highlighting the repeated assurances despite the accused’s awareness of his family’s insistence on horoscope matching.

Key Points:

  • The Delhi High Court denied bail to a man accused of establishing a physical relationship with a woman and then refusing marriage due to a ‘kundali’ mismatch.
  • The court stated that such conduct could attract Section 69 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which criminalizes sexual intercourse through deceitful means.
  • The woman initially filed a complaint in November 2025, withdrew it based on assurances of marriage, and then filed another FIR in January 2026 after the refusal.
  • The court highlighted that the assurances of marriage were made despite the accused being aware of his family’s insistence on ‘kundali’-matching.
  • The order was passed on February 17, 2026.

Key Takeaways:

  • The ruling clarifies the scope of Section 69 of the BNS concerning relationships built on false promises of marriage.
  • It underscores that repeated assurances of marriage, even in the face of known obstacles (like family insistence on ‘kundali’ matching), can be considered deceitful if marriage is later refused on those grounds.
  • The court differentiates between simple relationship failures and situations involving deliberate deception.
  • This case highlights the evolving legal landscape surrounding relationships and marriage in India.

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