'The woman had lodged false complaints of sexual assault against her husband in the past and their marriage was a result of a compromise’

A Law student accused of raping a married woman moved the Delhi High Court on Wednesday requesting the court to quash the first information report filed against him saying the alleged victim filed false rape cases to extort money from men.

The petitioner claimed that the woman, who has registered an FIR against him, had framed two other men in similar cases. The first case was filed by her on December 31, 2012, at Timarpur police station and the second case, also filed at Timarpur, was registered on May 21. The third case was filed against the petitioner at Vasant Vihar police station on January 22.

According to the him, the woman has accused all three men of raping her on the pretext of marriage. This, despite being married herself, he alleged.

“It is pertinent to mention that the prosecutrix in her other FIRs, which she has lodged against other persons, has stated herself to be a married woman. In the present FIR, she intentionally concealed her marriage, with a view to give the impression that she was unmarried,” the petition read.

“This, therefore, raises a question — how can a person fool a woman on the pretext of marriage, knowing well that she is already married. This negates the question of ‘misconception of fact’ and so does the question of rape.”

The petitioner also mentioned that the woman had lodged false complaints of sexual assault against her husband in the past and their marriage was a result of a compromise.

He told The Hindu: “She used to call up and threaten me saying she would lodge a rape complaint against me if I did not pay up, but I did not take her seriously. One day she just went ahead and registered a case against me.”

“I am a victim and not an accused. I have been suffering ever since the case was registered against me. My prestige and career is at stake now. This feeling of being insulted in front of my own people prompted me to file this petition. I have full faith in the judicial system and hope to get justice,” he added.