Delhi high court: Refusing to marry after physical relations due to 'kundali' mismatch can attract BNS charges
Times of India
by TOI LEGAL DESKFebruary 24, 2026
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Delhi High Court has ruled that refusing to marry someone after establishing a physical relationship due to a 'kundali' (horoscope) mismatch can lead to charges under Section 69 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which penalizes sexual intercourse through deceitful means. This decision came in response to a bail application by a man accused of engaging in physical relations with a woman, only to later refuse marriage on grounds of a kundali mismatch. The court emphasized that repeated assurances of marriage, including promises about kundali compatibility, made the case distinct from a typical souring relationship.
The case involved a woman who initially filed a complaint but later withdrew it based on assurances of marriage from the accused and his family. However, when the accused refused to marry her due to the alleged mismatch, she re-filed the complaint. The court noted that while failed relationships are common, the sequence of events here raised questions about the authenticity of the accused's intentions. Specifically, the court found it suspicious that the accused had repeatedly assured the woman of their compatibility, only to later cite kundali issues as a reason for refusal.
Section 69 of BNS criminalizes sexual intercourse obtained through deceit or fraud, and the court concluded that the accused's actions fit this description. The judge highlighted that such behavior undermines trust in relationships and could lead others to exploit emotional and physical intimacy for personal gain. This ruling underscores the legal implications of making false promises of marriage, particularly when physical relations are involved.
The case has broader implications for societal norms around marriage and consent. It serves as a reminder that assurances of marriage
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/24/2026