A critical analysis of the standard of consent in rape law in India

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35295/osls.iisl/0000-0000-0000-1398

Keywords:

Indian Penal Code, Indian Rape Law, Affirmative Standard of consent, complainant credibility

Abstract

This article critically analyses the standard of consent in rape law in India by engaging in a doctrinal analysis of the current jurisprudence. It also analyses various extraneous circumstances influencing the determination of consent in Indian rape law. The article will then assess the status of consent jurisprudence and related issues in the English and Canadian jurisdictions for a comparative assessment. Thereafter, it will critically assess the arguments in favour of an affirmative standard of consent before concluding with possible solutions for better interpretation of the law in determining consent by courts during rape trials in India.

En este artículo se analiza críticamente el estándar de consentimiento en la ley india sobre violación mediante un análisis doctrinal de la jurisprudencia actual. También se analizan diversas circunstancias ajenas que influyen en la determinación del consentimiento en la legislación india sobre violación. A continuación, el artículo evaluará la situación de la jurisprudencia sobre el consentimiento y las cuestiones conexas en las jurisdicciones inglesa y canadiense para realizar una evaluación comparativa. A continuación, se evaluarán críticamente los argumentos a favor de una norma afirmativa del consentimiento antes de concluir con posibles soluciones para una mejor interpretación de la ley a la hora de determinar el consentimiento por parte de los tribunales durante los juicios por violación en la India.

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Author Biography

Nikunj Kulshreshtha, Jindal Global Law School, OP Jindal Global University

Nikunj Kulshreshtha is an Assistant Professor of Law at Jindal Global Law School, O.P. Jindal Global University. He completed his LL.M. in Criminal Justice from Queen Mary University of London. Prior to joining academia, he was a practising litigator in criminal law.

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Published

28-07-2023

How to Cite

Kulshreshtha, N. (2023) “A critical analysis of the standard of consent in rape law in India”, Oñati Socio-Legal Series, 13(4), pp. 1428–1456. doi: 10.35295/osls.iisl/0000-0000-0000-1398.