Ravinchandran (petitioner) is the accused in C.C. No. 471 of 1986 on the file of Judicial II Class Magistrate, Sirkali.

2. The succinct facts leading to the filing of the petition are :- Mariyammal, respondent herein, is unmarried. The respondent is living with her parents at Kattunaicken street, Vaitheeswarnkoil. Her father is owing a store dealing with articles required for the purpose of pooja to deities. Opposite to the shop, one Ravinchandran, the petitioner/accused is also owning - a shop transacting the same business. The respondent used to assist her brother in the shop. In that process, she came into contact with the petitioner and in due course of time, a bondage of love got solemnised between them. They were moving like that for about 3 years. It is alleged that the petitioner made persistent efforts to enjoy her blissful company, even prior to their marriage. She appeared to have been evading such request all along. On 18-1-1985 at about 9.00 a.m. the petitioner was said to have made a representation, in the shape of promise that he would marry her in due course and made her accept his request of sharing bed together, at the garden situate behind Samiyar Mad