The Supreme Court of India made significant observations on consent and the nature of live-in relationships while hearing a case involving allegations of rape and assault arising from a long-term relationship.

The matter was heard by a bench led by Justice B. V. Nagarathna.

⚖️ Court Examines Nature of Relationship

During the proceedings, the court closely examined the timeline and nature of the relationship between the complainant and the accused:

• Both individuals were adults at the time of the relationship
• They had been in a long-term live-in relationship
• The couple also had a child together

The bench questioned how a relationship that appeared consensual over a long period could later lead to allegations of rape.

🧭 Focus on Consent and Legal Threshold

The court highlighted the central role of consent in such cases:

• A consensual relationship between adults does not automatically constitute a criminal offence
• However, the court did not dismiss the complaint outright and indicated that facts and evidence must be carefully examined
• It stressed that false promises of marriage, if proven, can still be relevant under criminal law

⚠️ Complexity of Live-in Relationships

The bench also commented on the broader challenges associated with live-in relationships:

• Such relationships may lead to legal disputes after separation
• Emotional and social complexities can influence post-breakup allegations
• Courts must carefully distinguish between breach of promise and criminal intent

👩‍⚖️ Woman’s Claim and Court’s Response

The complainant’s counsel argued that:

• The woman was allegedly unaware that the man was already married
• The relationship was based on a promise of marriage, which was not fulfilled

The court acknowledged the argument but clarified that it would focus strictly on verifiable facts and legal standards in the case.

👶 Child’s Rights Highlighted

Importantly, the court emphasized that:

• The child born from the relationship must be protected legally
• A child’s rights are independent of the marital status of the parents

The court also indicated that the woman could seek legal remedies and support for the child’s welfare.

🤝 Suggestion for Mediation

Instead of prolonged litigation, the court suggested:

• Exploring mediation or settlement
• Reducing adversarial legal proceedings where possible

This reflects the judiciary’s increasing preference for alternative dispute resolution in sensitive personal matters.

📊 Legal Context

In Indian law:

• Consent obtained under a false promise of marriage can, in certain circumstances, amount to rape
• However, courts often examine whether the promise was genuine at the time or made with intent to deceive
• Long-term relationships with mutual consent can complicate such determinations

✅ Key Takeaways

• Supreme Court questioned the basis of rape charges in a long-term live-in relationship
• Emphasized consent as a key legal factor
• Highlighted complexities of relationships outside marriage
• Stressed child’s rights must be protected
• Suggested mediation as a possible resolution path

The Punjab Police has withdrawn the state-provided security cover of Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh, shortly after his defection from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), according to sources cited by PTI.

Security Withdrawal and CRPF Deployment

• Singh’s Punjab Police security detail reportedly consisted of around 9–10 personnel, stationed at his residence in Jalandhar’s Chhotti Baradari area.
• The security cover was withdrawn on Saturday, a day after his political switch.
• On Sunday, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were seen deployed outside his residence, indicating a shift from state to central security arrangements.

Political Shift: AAP to BJP

Harbhajan Singh is among seven Rajya Sabha MPs who recently left AAP and joined the BJP. The group includes:

• Raghav Chadha
• Sandeep Pathak
• Ashok Mittal
• Rajinder Gupta
• Swati Maliwal
• Vikramjit Sahney
• Harbhajan Singh

The leaders reportedly joined BJP as a merged faction, rather than individual defectors.

Reasons Behind the Exit

Raghav Chadha stated that the AAP had “strayed from its founding principles and values,” prompting the decision to leave. The group framed their move as ideological rather than opportunistic.

Protests and Public Reaction

• AAP workers staged protests outside the residences of some defecting MPs, including Harbhajan Singh.
• In cities like Ludhiana and Jalandhar, protesters allegedly wrote “Gaddar” (traitor) on their walls.
• The protests reflect significant grassroots anger within AAP’s Punjab base.

Response from Punjab Government

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann strongly criticized the defectors:

• He labeled them “gaddars” and accused them of betraying public trust.
• Mann alleged that the BJP is attempting to destabilize AAP in Punjab.
• He also linked the political tensions to the state government’s firm stance on religious sacrilege (“beadbi”) laws, suggesting BJP discomfort with these policies.

Political Implications

This development could have wider consequences:

• AAP’s strength in the Rajya Sabha may weaken, depending on how the merger is legally treated.
• BJP could gain strategic influence in Punjab, where it has traditionally had limited independent strength.
• The switch may trigger further political polarization and realignment ahead of upcoming elections.

Key Takeaways

• Harbhajan Singh lost Punjab Police security but now has CRPF cover.
• The move follows a major political shift of 7 AAP MPs to BJP.
• The incident has sparked political backlash, protests, and strong reactions from AAP leadership.
• It signals a potentially significant shift in Punjab’s political landscape.

A severe heatwave continues to impact Delhi and large parts of north and central India, with temperatures soaring well above normal levels. The capital recorded a maximum temperature of 41.9°C on Friday, which is 4.2°C above the seasonal average, marking a steady rise in heat intensity.

The Ridge station in north Delhi recorded an even higher temperature of 43.1°C, making it one of the hottest spots in the city. Meanwhile, Lodhi Road reported 41.8°C, and both locations met the official criteria for a heatwave.

🔥 Heatwave Conditions Intensify

According to the India Meteorological Department, a yellow alert has been issued for Delhi, indicating continued heatwave conditions through the weekend. Daytime temperatures are expected to range between 42°C and 44°C, with hot, dry winds (up to 35 km/h) offering little relief.

Across the country, the situation is equally intense:

• Sri Ganganagar (Rajasthan) recorded 44.5°C, among the highest in India.
• Several states, including Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat, are seeing temperatures between 40°C and 44°C.
• The IMD has warned that temperatures may rise by an additional 2–3°C by April 29.

🌬️ Why Is It So Hot?

The ongoing heatwave is driven by:

• Dry continental winds from western regions
• Lack of cloud cover
• Delayed pre-monsoon activity

Additionally, a developing cyclonic circulation over Rajasthan is influencing weather patterns, though its cooling effects are expected to be limited initially.

🌦️ Relief on the Horizon?

Weather experts, including those from Skymet Weather, suggest that no immediate relief is expected on Saturday. However, a gradual change is likely beginning April 26–28, when:

• Light rainfall and thunderstorms may occur in parts of northwest India
• Delhi could see partly cloudy skies by Sunday
• Thundery activity is expected Monday evening
• Light rain may follow on Tuesday and Wednesday

This could bring a slight dip in temperatures, though not a dramatic cooldown.

🌡️ Widespread Heat Across India

The heatwave is affecting multiple regions:

• North & Central India: Rajasthan, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh
• Western & Southern regions: Gujarat, Vidarbha, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, north Karnataka
• Eastern states: Odisha, Jharkhand

Even typically humid regions like Kerala are experiencing unusually high temperatures.

🌧️ Contrasting Weather: Heavy Rain in Other Regions

While northern India bakes under extreme heat, other regions are witnessing heavy rainfall:

• Northeast India (Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh): Heavy to very heavy rain expected till April 29
• Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura: Rain with thunderstorms and strong winds
• Himalayan states (Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh): Rainfall between April 25–30

📊 What Counts as a Heatwave?

The IMD defines a heatwave when:

• Temperature exceeds 40°C, and
• It is at least 4.5°C above normal, or
• It reaches 45°C or more, regardless of normal levels