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Kerala High Court Invokes BNS Section 69 And SC/ST Act In Concealed Relationship Case
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News18•07-10-2026, 18:25
Kerala High Court Invokes BNS Section 69 And SC/ST Act In Concealed Relationship Case
- •The Kerala High Court stated that hiding a pre-existing live-in relationship and child from a would-be bride may fall under sexual intercourse obtained by deceit.
- •The court dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of the accused and directed him to surrender before the investigating officer.
- •The woman alleged that the accused concealed his prior relationship and a three-year-old child while establishing physical relations under the promise of marriage.
- •Since the complainant belongs to a Scheduled Caste community, a case has also been registered under the SC/ST Act.
Key Questions Answered
The Kerala High Court stated that entering into sexual relations by concealing a pre-existing live-in relationship and a child may prima facie fall under 'sexual intercourse obtained by deceit' pursuant to Section 69 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The counsel for the accused argued that Section 69 applies when a person promises marriage and subsequently backs out, noting that the accused was still ready and willing to marry the woman.
A case was registered against the accused at the Ferook police station under Section 318(4) and Section 69 of the BNS, alongside Section 3(2)(va) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The High Court dismissed his anticipatory bail appeal and ordered him to surrender.
