Why Allahabad HC Dropped Rape Charges Against Congress MP Rakesh Rathore
The Allahabad High Court discharged Congress MP Rakesh Rathore in a 2025 rape case, calling the allegations a 'cooked-up"' story and noting evidence of a consensual relationship. The court ruled that continuing the legal proceedings under such unfounded claims would constitute an abuse of the judicial process.
The Allahabad High Court has discharged Congress MP Rakesh Rathore in a 2025 rape case, observing that the allegations made by the complainant amounted to a "cooked-up" story that was too absurd for any person of ordinary prudence to believe. Justice Subhash Vidyarthi, presiding over the Lucknow bench of the High Court, set aside a trial court order that had previously rejected Rathore's discharge application and framed criminal charges against him. The court ruled that continuing the legal proceedings under such unfounded claims would constitute an abuse of the judicial process.
Findings on Consensual Relationship and Evidence
During the review of the case, the High Court examined prosecution materials and statements, noting that the evidence pointed toward a long-standing, consensual relationship between the accused and the complainant rather than a criminal offence, reports Live Law. Allahabad High Court Directs Police Protection for Interfaith Lesbian Couple; Here's Why.
The bench observed that the allegations - including claims revolving around promises of marriage - were contradictory and lacked the necessary evidentiary strength to establish a prima facie case. The court emphasised that the material on record failed to create a strong suspicion that the MP had committed the alleged crime.
Revisional Jurisdiction and Trial Court Set Aside
Rakesh Rathore had approached the High Court in a revision petition challenging the trial court's May 5, 2025, decision to deny discharge and move forward with framing charges. UP Govt Turning Goonda Act Into Weapon of Harassment: Allahabad High Court.
Addressing procedural aspects, the High Court held that the subsequent framing of charges by the trial court did not bar the higher judiciary from exercising its revisional jurisdiction to evaluate the legality of the matter. By allowing Rathore's discharge application, the court officially terminated the criminal proceedings against him, concluding that maintaining the lawsuit would result in a failure of justice.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 30, 2026 03:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
