Fake Rape Cases On The Rise In Goa – For “Settlement” Or “Revenge”: Shreha Dhargalkar

PANAJI: Prominent social worker and women’s rights activist in Goa, Shreha Dhargalkar speaking to this reporter in North Goa on Tuesday, claimed that fake cases of rape under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code are on the rise in Goa.

According to Shreha, the Supreme Court of India has clearly held that if a couple who are in a consensual relationship break up after a certain period of time, the woman cannot allege rape as the relationship was consensual. Even if a marriage does not materialize for genuine reasons, the woman should not call it rape, just to get off the hook and absolve herself of the joint responsibility of a failed relationship. However, there is a new trend wherein girls are filing rape case to “get revenge” from their boyfriends after breakup,” Shreha claimed. For every genuine case, there are at least two cases wherein the male partner is “framed” by his ‘ex’ after the breakup, she alleged.

“Several High Court judgements have held that only a false promise to marry made with a clear intention to cheat or deceive the woman would vitiate the woman’s consent being obtained under misconception of fact. But a mere breach of promise cannot be said to be a false promise,” Shreha claimed, quoting a Supreme Court observation.