NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday held that there can be no compromise in a rape case in the name of promising wedlock.

"There should be no mediation and no compromise in rape cases, a woman's body is her temple," the SC said in its judgment.

An apex court bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra said that any compromise promising wedlock between a rape accused and the victim compromises the dignity of the woman.

The court said that such a compromise lacks sensitivity on the part of those promoting a settlement.

Holding that courts cannot take a soft approach on the issue, the bench described as a spectacular error and lack of sensitivity on the part of a lower court which had allowed a rapist to go scot free by accepting an agreement on wedlock.

The order came while accepting the Madhya Pradesh government's plea challenging a lower court's acquitting a man accused of rape.

READ ALSO: Madras HC allows rapist of a minor to 'settle' case by mediation

Mediation after rape? No, your honour, say jurists

Recently, in a much-talked about order, the Madras HC had asked a man, found guilty of raping a minor and sentenced to seven years, to "settle the matter by mediation".

Justice P Devadass, holding that alternative dispute resolution such as mediation is now being used in criminal cases also, said: "In fact, even in Islam, Hinduism and Christianity, there are instances of solving the disputes in a non-belligerent manner. The result of it is very good because there is 'no victor, no vanquished'."

READ THIS IN HINDI: औरत का शरीर उसके लिए मंदिर होता है- सुप्रीम कोर्ट

(With inputs from agencies)

