The Supreme Court recently dismissed a cheating case against Raju Krishna Shedbalkar, ruling that the failure of a marriage proposal to materialize does not constitute cheating. Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Prasanna B Varale emphasized that there must be evidence of intent to deceive from the outset to establish a case of cheating.
The case stemmed from a complaint filed by a woman who alleged that Shedbalkar had cheated her by not marrying her despite talks between their families and the payment of a booking fee for a wedding venue. However, the Supreme Court found insufficient evidence to support the claim of cheating.
The Court highlighted that initiating a marriage proposal does not guarantee its fulfillment, and there could be various reasons for it not materializing. While the woman’s family may have perceived Shedbalkar as a suitable match, the Court emphasized that the absence of evidence indicating intent to deceive negates the charge of cheating.
The Supreme Court’s decision overturned a Karnataka High Court ruling that had found Shedbalkar guilty of cheating based on the allegation that he induced the woman’s father to book a marriage hall. However, the Supreme Court asserted that the prosecution failed to present reliable evidence to support the charge of cheating.
In conclusion, the Supreme Court’s ruling underscores the importance of establishing intent to deceive in cases of cheating, emphasizing that the mere failure of a marriage proposal to reach fruition does not constitute criminal wrongdoing.