From Promise to Punishment: Analysis Section 69 of BNS, 2023

This paper deconstructs Section 69 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, that criminalizes sexual intercourse caused by false promises of marriage and frames it as an important legal provision for women's autonomy and redressing exploitation. Despite its protective intent, the section holds within it a possible danger. It brings obscurity to the definition of consent and adds complications to the interpretation of the law. This paper deals with the broad language of Section 69, which makes it difficult to prove intent and may lead to frivolous litigation, especially in consensual relationships.