Gauhati High Court Refuses to Quash Minor Rape Case Despite Family Compromise

The Gauhati High Court has refused to quash a rape case involving a minor under the POCSO Act, stating that a romantic relationship does not give a man the “license” to force physical relations on a woman.

Justice Pranjal Das observed that even in premarital relationships, forceful physical relations without consent remain a criminal offence. The court also stressed that serious offences like rape and POCSO cases cannot be treated as private disputes settled through compromise.

The case was registered at Fakirgram Police Station in February 2025 after the survivor’s father alleged that the accused raped his 17-year-old daughter. Despite a later compromise between the families and plans for marriage, the court held that the survivor’s earlier statements supported the prosecution’s case and dismissed the petition.