Worse than honeytrap: Karnataka HC slams woman for filing false rape cases against 10 men

New Delhi: The Karnataka High Court recently uncovered a shocking case involving a woman who had taken advantage of the country's laws designed to protect women. The woman, named Deepika, falsely accused 10 men of rape after marrying them. The court was appalled by the extent of her fraudulent actions, describing the case as worse than a typical honeytrap. In response, the court directed the Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG-IGP) to circulate information about this woman across police stations in the state, warning them to handle her complaints with caution.

Law for personal gain

According to the information presented in court, Deepika had been exploiting the law for years, targeting innocent men by filing false complaints. She married 10 men, willingly engaging in relationships with them, only to later accuse them of rape. One of the cases brought before the Karnataka High Court involved a coffee plantation owner, Nitin (name changed). Deepika had alleged that Nitin married her and then abandoned her. However, after investigating the matter, the court found that the allegations were baseless, and the charges against Nitin were dismissed.

When did it happen?

Nitin and Deepika first met on August 28, 2022, at the Lalit Mahal Palace Hotel in Mysore for business purposes. Over time, they developed a relationship. But just a few months later, on September 8, 2022, Deepika filed a rape case against another individual, Vivek. The police suggested the two parties settle the matter privately. However, by September 19, 2022, Deepika filed yet another complaint, this time claiming that Vivek married her and left her. The case was eventually brought before the High Court.

In court, Vivek and his family revealed that they were the latest victims of Deepika’s long-standing scheme. They argued that this was the 10th case she had filed against different men. Deepika had dragged not only her husbands but also their families into these legal battles.

Pattern of deceit

Justice Nagaprasanna, presiding over the case, noted that Deepika had lodged 10 complaints against various men since 2011, including charges of rape, cruelty, threats, and fraud. Most of these complaints were filed in different police stations across Bengaluru, while some extended to Chikkaballapur and Mumbai. In three instances, the accused had been acquitted due to lack of evidence, and some had even lodged counter-complaints against Deepika for extortion.

The judge observed that Deepika’s complaints followed a similar pattern: she would accuse men of crimes, only to later avoid court appearances. This recurring absence led to acquittals, but not before the accused men and their families suffered significant legal and emotional stress.

Court's final verdict

In his final statement, Justice Nagaprasanna remarked, "This case has surpassed even the typical honeytrap schemes. The complainant’s actions are a decade-old saga of fraud, and it is necessary to put an end to this trend." The court instructed police stations to conduct thorough preliminary investigations before registering any complaints by Deepika in the future to prevent further misuse of the law.