Married 10 Men, Then Falsely Accused Them of Rape: High Court Says 'This Goes Beyond a Honey Trap

Bengaluru, Karnataka – In a case that has left the Karnataka High Court astonished, a woman who falsely accused ten men of rape and other crimes has been exposed. The court has now directed the state's Director General of Police (DGP) and Inspector General of Police (IGP) to circulate digital alerts across all police stations, warning them to be cautious while handling her complaints.

The woman, identified as Deepika, had married ten men, willingly engaged in relationships with them, and then falsely accused them of rape. The case came to light when one of the men, a coffee estate owner referred to as Nitin (name changed), was accused by Deepika. However, during the investigation, her claims were proven false, and her pattern of abuse of the legal system became evident.

Case Background

Nitin, who resides in Kushalnagar, Kodagu district, met Deepika on August 28, 2022, at a business meeting at a hotel in Mysuru. Shortly after, on September 8, 2022, Deepika filed a rape case against him, claiming he had abandoned her after their relationship. Kushalnagar police attempted to mediate, but just a few weeks later, on September 19, 2022, she escalated the matter, alleging that Nitin married her and then deserted her.

When the case reached the Karnataka High Court, Nitin and his family argued that this was the tenth case Deepika had filed against different men under similar circumstances. They claimed that she had falsely implicated them and their family members, misusing the legal provisions designed to protect women.

Pattern of False Accusations

Justice Nagaprasanna noted that since 2011, Deepika had filed 10 complaints against various men, accusing them of crimes such as rape, cruelty, fraud, and threats. Most of these complaints were registered at different police stations in Bengaluru, with one case each in Chikkaballapur and Mumbai. In three cases, trial courts had already acquitted the accused, and five counter-complaints had been filed against Deepika, accusing her of extortion and other offenses.

The court found a consistent pattern in the acquittals, with Deepika failing to appear in court despite repeated notices. Justice Nagaprasanna observed that Deepika had falsely accused numerous men and their families without any substantial evidence. The court also noted that some of the accused had been detained under serious charges, such as rape, and only released on bail after lengthy periods in custody.

Court’s Condemnation of Deepika's Actions

During the hearing, Justice Nagaprasanna remarked that Deepika’s actions went beyond a typical "honey trap" and were part of a decade-long scheme of deceit. "The complainant's intentions are clear," the judge said, describing her actions as a fraud spanning over ten years. He further criticized her for filing false cases without appearing in court and for continuously misleading the judicial system.

In light of these findings, the court directed that any police station where Deepika attempts to file a case must conduct a thorough preliminary investigation before registering any new complaints. "It is essential to put an end to this trend," Justice Nagaprasanna stated, emphasizing the need to prevent further misuse of legal provisions.

This case serves as a significant reminder of the importance of safeguarding legal systems from misuse while continuing to protect genuine victims. By ordering digital alerts across Karnataka's police stations, the court aims to prevent future false accusations and ensure that justice is served fairly.