'No Means No': Bombay HC Upholds Conviction in Landmark Rape Case

The Bombay High Court affirmed the conviction of three men for rape, emphasizing that 'no means no.' The court dismissed the presumption of consent based on a woman's past sexual activities. The sentence was reduced from life to 20 years, underscoring rape as a grievous violation of privacy and rights.

In a landmark judgment, the Bombay High Court has upheld the conviction of three men for raping their partner. The court strongly reaffirmed that 'no means no,' dismissing any presumption of consent stemming from a woman's previous sexual activities.

The bench, comprising Justices Nitin Suryawanshi and M W Chandwani, ruled that sexual assault is a severe violation of a woman's body, mind, and privacy. It declared that rape remains one of the most morally reprehensible crimes in society.

While the court upheld the conviction, it reduced the sentence from life imprisonment to 20 years. The judgment further emphasized that a woman's character or sexual history is irrelevant to determining consent, which remains a standalone decision.

(With inputs from agencies.)