In an extraordinary turn of events, an unusual scene unfolded inside the Supreme Court on Thursday. This comes after a man, convicted of rape and sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment agreed to marry the victim. The couple allegedly exchanged flowers with each other after expressing the willingness to marry each other.

According to reports, the couple was asked to exchange the garlands by justices BV Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma. The accused first proposed to the survivor in the courtroom. The two then gave flowers to each other amid applause from the family members and attendees present in the courtroom.

The Judgement

“They (rape accused and victim) are willing to marry each other. The details of the marriage shall be worked out by the respective parents. We hope that the marriage takes place as expeditiously as possible. In such circumstances, we suspend the sentence and release the petitioner…today the petitioner appeared before this court pursuant a direction dated 6/5/2025. He shall return to jail and will be produced before the concerned sessions court as early as possible.”

Court Facilitates Marriage Proposal

The bench of the Supreme Court comprising Justices BV Nagarathna and Satish Chandra Sharma facilitated the interaction between the couple. During a chamber meeting in the pre-lunch session, both parties and their families were present. The Court noted that both the man and the woman had “unequivocally expressed” their willingness to marry each other.

“We passed over the matter so as to enable the parties to have a dialogue and inform the court as to whether they are inclined to get engaged and be married to each other. In the post-lunch session, the matter was again called in the court hall. The petitioner and respondent No.2 have unequivocally stated before us that they are willing to marry each other,” it said.

The SC order said, “Having regard to the sensitivity of the matter, we directed the parties as well as their parents along with their respective learned counsel and learned standing counsel for the State of Madhya Pradesh to appear before us in chamber. They appeared before us in the chamber in the pre-lunch session. We heard them.”

Later, in the courtroom, the justices asked the man to formally propose to the woman and directed them to exchange flowers in a symbolic gesture of commitment to marriage.

Sentence Suspended, Bail Granted

Following the man’s decision to marry, the Supreme Court suspended his prison sentence. The sentence was handed down by a trial court in September 2024 and upheld by the Madhya Pradesh High Court. The Court ordered that the man return to custody briefly before being produced before the concerned Sessions Court. The court further instructed to release him on bail subject to appropriate conditions.

Background of the Case

According to reports, the case dates back to 2021. The woman filed an FIR alleging that the man had repeatedly raped her between 2016 and 2021 under a false promise of marriage. The two had met on Facebook. The woman was a friend of the accused’s sister. Over time, they developed a relationship that became physical. The woman alleged that the man assured her each time that marriage would follow.

However, when she eventually insisted on marriage, the man reportedly declined, citing his mother’s disapproval. She then filed a police complaint, leading to the trial.

Trial and Appeal

Following the FIR, a trial court convicted the man under Section 376(2)(n) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for repeated rape and Section 417 for cheating. He was sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and an additional 2 years for fraud.

After the Madhya Pradesh High Court rejected his plea under Section 389(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) seeking suspension of sentence, the man appealed to the Supreme Court.

Next Hearing Scheduled

As of now, the matter has been adjourned to July 25, 2025, and will be treated as part-heard. The Court emphasised that the bail is contingent upon the Sessions Court’s discretion and that the marriage should proceed as soon as possible. Advocate Nikhil Jain appeared for the victim during the proceedings before the Supreme Court.