The Karnataka High Court on Friday stayed criminal proceedings against a 21-year-old engineering student, the son of an expelled BJP leader, accused of raping his classmate on the basis of a false promise of marriage, and ordered him to pay money. $75,000 per month to support the complainant and her 10-month-old child. This is despite the fact that the couple is not married, or in a relationship at present.
Justice M Nagaprasanna said that while the case appeared to involve a consensual physical relationship and in normal circumstances, the court would have stayed the proceedings entirely, the present case called for a different approach as the complainant had no means of supporting herself or her child.
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The court ordered the accused either to pay the amount himself if he had the ability to do so, or to ask his parents to pay the amount.
“If it had just been a case about consensual acts between two adults, and not about a newborn baby, who is approaching 10 months now and the mother and baby were left in the lurch, this court would have stayed the whole matter. The circumstances are different.”
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An interim order will be issued staying further proceedings on the condition that the petitioner himself or through his parents makes payment $75,000 per month for the victim and the child until the next hearing,” Justice Nagaprasanna said.
