Bombay HC Rejects Rape Charges in Matrimonial Dispute; SIFF Hails Relief For Pune Man
Pune, 4th December 2025: The Aurangabad Bench of the Bombay High Court has dismissed rape and unnatural sex allegations filed by a woman against her husband and in-laws, observing that the charges were not applicable in a matrimonial dispute. Men’s rights organisation Save Indian Family Foundation (SIFF) has welcomed the decision, calling it a “significant relief” for the Pune-based man involved in the case.
According to SIFF, the complainant had accused her husband, Anand Doiphode, and eight of his family members under sections related to rape, unnatural offences, cruelty and dowry harassment. The FIR was registered after the couple’s marital relationship deteriorated.
Doiphode married in October 2020. SIFF claims that the relationship soon turned turbulent, with repeated disputes and separation. In 2022, he filed for divorce after being denied access to his son. The organisation alleges that the criminal complaint was filed as retaliation.
The NGO said the husband remained in hiding for several months fearing arrest, while the family faced social stigma and pressure. SIFF also alleged that despite court protection, the husband was repeatedly summoned to the police station, and female family members faced humiliation during bail proceedings.
Using judicial precedents from other High Courts, the defence argued that Sections 376 and 377 of the Indian Penal Code — now replaced by equivalent offences under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita — do not apply between spouses in the context of a marriage breakdown. The High Court rejected the wife’s appeal and upheld the findings in favour of the accused.
SIFF said its Pune unit supported Doiphode through legal training and emotional counselling. The organisation claimed the case highlights the need for safeguards against misuse of stringent criminal provisions.
Commenting on the issue, SIFF co-founder Anil Murty said strong legal reforms were necessary to prevent misuse of rape laws. “If the government does not stop misuse, the system will be clogged with false cases, affecting justice for real victims,” he said.
National coordinator Sameer Goel stated that false allegations can “destroy lives and reputations”, urging courts to impose strict penalties for fabricated complaints and perjury. He described the alleged misuse of criminal procedure as “legal terrorism”.
Sagar Gunthal, legal counsellor with SIFF, said non-bailable sections in domestic disputes can lead to long detentions, social backlash and psychological harm. “Laws targeting one gender are not laws, but weapons,” he said.
The NGO demanded amendments to rape-related offences to ensure gender-neutrality, faster disposal of false allegation cases, and equal identity protection for both complainants and accused until evidence is tested in court. It also suggested mandatory counselling and mediation before registering serious offences in matrimonial cases.
SIFF, established in 2005, describes itself as a nationwide platform advocating for reforms in dowry, domestic violence, marital and custody laws, and opposing the criminalisation of marital relationships.
