Close Proximity at Workplace May Result in Allegation of Rape When Relationship Turns Sour: Delhi HC
This judgment shed a light on the nuanced and evolving legal landscape concerning workplace relationships and the importance of discerning consensual relationships from criminal allegations.
In a recent landmark judgment, the Delhi High Court has granted bail to an accused in a rape case, underscoring the complexities that arise when consensual workplace relationships turn contentious. The case, Abhijeet Kumar v. State (Govt. of NCT of Delhi) & Anr. (Bail Application No. 104/2025), pronounced on February 10, 2025, exemplifies how sexual proximity in a professional environment can lead to allegations of force and rape once the relationship deteriorates.
The Court emphasized the necessity of pragmatic interpretation and application of laws to ensure that legal protections are not merely theoretical but practical and effective. Justice Neena Bansal Krishna, presiding over the single bench, highlighted the frequent occurrence of consensual relationships at workplaces that, upon souring, are reported as crimes. This case reinforces the need for a clear distinction between consensual sex and rape.
The prosecutrix in this case alleged that the accused established physical relations under the false promise of marriage and later subjected her to criminal intimidation and assault upon refusing to marry her. Following her complaint, an FIR was registered, and the accused was taken into custody.
In seeking bail, the accused argued that the relationship was consensual and that there was no substantial evidence to support the allegations. He claimed that the accusations surfaced post-breakup and that the prosecutrix had willingly stayed with him in hotels and traveled with him, indicating consent.
Justice Krishna pointed out that as more women become integral to the workforce, the courts have a corresponding duty to interpret laws realistically, ensuring that protections are genuinely effective and not just superficial. The Court also stressed its role as a watchdog to prevent misuse of the law.
The Court noted that the accused had been in custody since May 2024, with charges already framed and the trial likely to take time. Given the prolonged judicial custody, the Court concluded that no purpose would be served by keeping the accused incarcerated any longer and thus granted bail.
This judgment shed a light on the nuanced and evolving legal landscape concerning workplace relationships and the importance of discerning consensual relationships from criminal allegations. For further insights into the evolving workplace paradigm, visit
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