Consensual Relations Not a License for Violence: Karnataka HC

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

1. Karnataka HC ruled that consensual relations don’t justify violence against women.
2. The case involves a police officer accused of assault by a social worker.
3. Despite a four-year relationship, physical violence was termed unacceptable.
4. The court dismissed the officer’s plea to quash charges.
5. This judgment strengthens safeguards against misogynist violence.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth
Karnataka HC Rules Against Violence in Consensual Relationships
In a landmark judgment, the Karnataka High Court ruled that consensual sexual relationships are not a license for physical or sexual violence. This ruling came while hearing a case involving Circle Inspector B. Ashok Kumar, accused by a social worker of sexual and physical assault despite their four-year consensual relationship.

Allegations of Serious Abuse
The complainant accused Kumar of assaulting her in a hotel in 2021 and later abandoning her at a bus stop after the incident. She sought medical care and filed complaints alleging rape, attempted murder, and physical assault.

Court’s Observations
The court rejected the officer’s plea to dismiss the case, stating that consensual acts cannot justify violence. Justice M. Nagaprasanna condemned the officer’s behavior, labeling it as “gross misogynist brutality.”

Rejection of Misuse of Consent
Justice Nagaprasanna emphasized that, despite the consensual nature of the relationship, repeated acts of violence cannot be excused. He also clarified that while the relationship was consensual, violence within such a dynamic is unacceptable and punishable.

Aakhir Tak – Key Takeaways to Remember

1. Consensual relations cannot excuse violence.
2. Karnataka HC’s judgment is a significant win for women’s rights.
3. Justice Nagaprasanna called out misogynist cruelty in relationships.
4. The decision strengthens legal protections against domestic violence.

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