“FALSE ALLEGATIONS OF RAPE: EXAMINING LEGAL CONSEQUENCES AND SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS”

AUTHOR – P. SUBRAMANIAN* & ANNA JOHN**

* STUDENT AT VELS INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & ADVANCED STUDIES (VISTAS)

** ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AT SCHOOL OF LAW, VELS INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ADVANCED STUDIES (VISTAS)

BEST CITATION – P. SUBRAMANIAN & ANNA JOHN, “FALSE ALLEGATIONS OF RAPE: EXAMINING LEGAL CONSEQUENCES AND SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS”, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 6 (7) OF 2026, PG. 198-204, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344. DOI – https://doi.org/10.65393/IJLRV6I723

ABSTRACT

In the current legal and social environment, the problem of false accusations of rape has grown in importance and sensitivity. Although laws pertaining to rape are crucial for safeguarding victims and guaranteeing justice, their abuse through false allegations poses significant difficulties for both the legal system and individuals. The concept of false accusations of rape, as well as their causes, legal ramifications, and social ramifications, are the main subjects of this study. The study emphasises that a variety of factors, including interpersonal disagreements, marital problems, emotional strain, or miscommunications, can give birth to false accusations. Such incidents may not be extremely frequent, yet they have a big influence. A person who is wrongly accused of rape may suffer serious repercussions, such as reputational damage, psychological distress, social humiliation, and harm to their personal and professional lives. Additionally, the accused’s family may experience social and emotional challenges. It examines how current legislation seeks to prevent abuse while simultaneously protecting victims. Nonetheless, the study highlights a number of issues with the legal system, including the difficulty of gathering evidence, the length of time it takes for court cases to advance, and the absence of precise standards for differentiating between true and false accusations. It is also emphasised how the public’s view and the media play a significant role in these cases. The necessity of a balanced approach is emphasised in the study’s conclusion. It implies that while victims must continue to have robust legal protection, steps should also be taken to stop the law from being abused. To guarantee justice and fairness, improvements in investigation, prompt trials, legal knowledge, and ethical media coverage are required.

Keywords: False rape accusations, Legal challenges, Psychological and social impact, Misuse of law, Fair justice system