India, Sept. 11 -- New Delhi

Refusal to marriage is not a criminal offence as a person cannot be forced to marry someone, a Delhi court held, while acquitting a man accused of sexually harassing his prospective partner before ending their relationship.

Judicial magistrate First Class (Mahila Court) Manya passed the judgment in a case lodged against a Delhi resident accused of sexual harassment by a woman, who was planning to marry him. The defendant was represented by advocate Pritthish Roy.

The complainant alleged that the man was only was interested in having a physical relationship with her and also engaged in sexual harassment. Later, the man also broke off the wedding plans, she alleged.

The court, while discharging the defendant...