Man Cites “Live-In Relationship Agreement” To Secure Bail In Rape Case; Woman Denies Signature

In a controversial case, a 46-year-old man from Mumbai secured pre-arrest bail by presenting a “live-in relationship agreement” in court. The agreement, according to the man, states that he and his 29-year-old partner had mutually agreed not to file any cases of sexual harassment against each other while living together. The court granted bail to the man on August 29, 2024.

However, the woman who filed the rape case against him has denied signing the agreement, asserting that her signature on the document is forged. The woman, who works as a caregiver for the elderly, accused the man, a government employee, of repeatedly raping her after promising marriage during their live-in relationship. The police are now investigating the legitimacy of the agreement, which has become central to the case.

The accused’s lawyer, Sunil Pandey, argued that his client is a victim of false allegations. According to him, the agreement, allegedly signed by both parties, outlines the terms of their relationship, including the mutual decision to abstain from filing sexual harassment claims. The agreement was reportedly set to cover the period from August 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025.

Key points from the agreement include:

• The couple agreed to live together without filing harassment claims against each other.
• The woman would live with the man at his home, but could leave at any time after giving a month’s notice if she found his behavior unacceptable.
• Relatives of the woman were prohibited from visiting while she lived with him.
• If the woman became pregnant, the man would not be held responsible.
• Should the relationship cause mental trauma to the man, the woman would bear responsibility for any harm done to his life.

The woman, however, maintains that the agreement is fraudulent and that the man has taken advantage of her. The case now hinges on whether the agreement was forged, with authorities working to determine the authenticity of the document and the allegations.