Archive · 21 Jan 2026
Courts Differ on BNS Provision for Promise to Marry
Two high courts in India have different opinions about a law that punishes men who promise to marry a woman but don't intend to.
The Madras High Court said that women in live-in relationships should be called 'wives' to protect them from being hurt or misled.
They think men should be punished if they make false promises.
On the other hand, the Karnataka High Court said that the law should not be used to harass or retaliate against men in private disputes.
They believe the law should punish deceit, not just disappointment or failed relationships.
Both courts are trying to figure out the best way to protect women while making sure the law is not misused.
Madras High Court ruled that women in live-in relationships should be granted 'wife' status for protection.
Karnataka High Court quashed an FIR against an advocate based on a woman’s allegation of a deceitful promise to marry.
Justice S Srimathy emphasized the need to safeguard vulnerable women in modern relationships.
Justice M Nagaprasanna held that the law punishes deceit, not disappointment or failed affection.
Section 69 of the BNS penalises sexual intercourse by employing deceitful means or making a promise to marry without intention of fulfilling it.
- Who
- Madras High Court and Karnataka High Court
- What
- Differing rulings on the application of Section 69 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) regarding promises to marry
- When
- Madras High Court: While dismissing a petition for anticipatory bail; Karnataka High Court: Monday (specific date not mentioned)
- Where
- Madras High Court, Madurai Bench; Karnataka High Court, single-judge bench
- Why
- To address the protection of women in live-in relationships and prevent the misuse of the criminal process
Madras High Court
Karnataka High Court
Protection for Women in Live-In Relationships
Madras High Court
Women in live-in relationships should be granted 'wife' status for protection, and men who make false promises of marriage should face legal consequences.
Karnataka High Court
The criminal process should not be used as a weapon of retaliation in private discords, and the law punishes deceit, not disappointment or failed affection.
- Madras High Court
- Granted 'wife' status to women in live-in relationships for protection.
- Karnataka High Court
- Quashed an FIR against an advocate based on a woman’s allegation of a deceitful promise to marry.
- Justice S Srimathy
- Emphasized the need to safeguard vulnerable women in modern relationships.
- Justice M Nagaprasanna
- Held that the law punishes deceit, not disappointment or failed affection.
- Section 69 of the BNS
- Penalises sexual intercourse by employing deceitful means or making a promise to marry without intention of fulfilling it.
- Madras High Court Location
- Madurai Bench
- Karnataka High Court Location
- Single-judge bench
