Weaponization Of Law? Fake Rape Allegation In Pune Case Raises Alarms Over Justice

Mumbai: In Pune, a recent rape case involving a 22-year-old tech professional took a shocking turn when her allegations were proven false. She claimed a “delivery agent” forcibly entered her flat, used a chemical spray to render her unconscious, sexually assaulted her, took a selfie, and threatened to share her photos. However, Pune police commissioner Amitesh Kumar revealed no delivery agent was involved.

Instead, a male friend visited her flat consensually, with no evidence of forced entry or chemical use. The “incriminating” selfie was taken willingly, and the threatening message was typed by the woman herself after the man left on July 2, 2025. She cited an unstable mental state as her motive, which remains under investigation.

About Another Controversial Case

This incident follows another controversial case in February 2025, where a 26-year-old woman alleged rape inside a stationary Shivshahi bus at Pune’s Swargate depot. The accused, Dattatray Ramdas Gade, claims the encounter was consensual, while the survivor’s lawyer has sought a restraining order against narratives tarnishing her reputation. This case is still under trial. These incidents highlight the delicate balance between supporting survivors and ensuring due process. False allegations divert police resources and risk undermining genuine victims, who face social stigma and legal hurdles.

Men’s rights activist Deepika Bhardwaj emphasised that rape, a heinous crime with severe penalties in India, requires immediate detention of the accused. However, false accusations, as seen in the techie case, are also serious crimes under Sections 248 and 217 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, involving false charges and misleading public servants to harm others. Bhardwaj criticised the lack of action against the woman in the techie case, noting her education and consultation with a professor suggest premeditation.

She argues that unpunished false allegations set a dangerous precedent, potentially implicating innocent individuals while eroding public trust. Bhardwaj insists that women making false rape claims must face consequences to maintain justice, as public opinion strongly supports accountability. While genuine rape cases demand maximum punishment, false accusers should not evade justice, ensuring fairness and credibility in the legal system.

Men's rights activist Shonee Kapoor stated that police can file cases against women under Section 217 of the BNS for providing false information to misuse legal powers, causing harm. The male victim can also file a case, but third parties, such as activists, lack the legal standing to do so. Kapoor’s recent RTI revealed a 4.3% conviction rate in Delhi rape cases, with 40% of women later retracting statements. He noted that some women exploit anonymity to file multiple false cases by altering their names, a practice seen across societal sections.

Advocate Shirish Gupte added that police or the male victim can pursue legal action against false complainants. Social groups may also petition the High Court on such matters. False cases are not new, often ending in compromises, with medical evidence and statements exposing their falsity.