Bhubaneswar, Jan. 8 -- The Orissa high court has ruled that indulging in a sexual relationship with an adult lady on the promise of marriage does not amount to rape.

In the important ruling, the Court further stated that if a woman has sexual relationship on a consensual basis, the criminal law for rape can't be used against the accused.

As per the bench headed by Justice Sanjeeb Panigrahi, holding that false promise of marriage amounts to rape appears to be erroneous as the ingredients of rape codified under Section 375 of the IPC do not cover it.

The High Court gave the verdict during the bail hearing of an alleged rape case. The Court also ordered the lower Court to give conditional bail to the accused. Under the condition, the Cour...