Supreme Court says no compromise in rape cases

In a significant ruling, Supreme Court on Tuesday held that rape cases cannot be compromised or condoned even if the victim forgives the accused for the offence.

An apex court bench headed by Chief Justice P. Sathasivam ruled that such compromises, if entered into, are per se illegal and the provision for lesser punishment for heinous offences in exceptional cases cannot be treated in a casual or a cavalier manner by the trial court.

The apex court expressed grave concern that in recent times, despite a spurt in rape cases, there has been an increasing tendency amongst trial courts to permit compromises of such offences on the ground that a settlement has been entered into between the rapist and the victim.