Goa Court Acquits Man Charged with Rape, Citing Absence of Marital Rape Law

The trial court in Goa has issued a discharge order for a man who faced rape charges. The presiding judge observed that the Indian Penal Code does not currently criminalise marital rape, rendering the specific charge untenable. Women's rights organisations have condemned the ruling, arguing that the legal vacuum leaves married women exposed to abuse. Legal analysts note that while the Supreme Court has affirmed the right to bodily autonomy, Parliament has yet to amend statutes to include marital rape as an offence. The verdict adds to the broader national debate on strengthening protections against gender‑based violence.