In an unusual case, a woman has accepted to marry the man -- Mangesh Mahadik -- who she alleged had raped her.
After being acquitted of rape charges by a local court in Mumbai, Mahadik proposed to the woman.
According to the prosecution, Mahadik and the woman, both hail from Dongroli village in Raigad district and were in a relationship.
In 2003, Mahadik followed the woman to her cousin's place in Mumbai.
In September that year, both fled to Pune and during their 15-day stay, Mahadik repeatedly raped her, public prosecutor Usha Makasare said.
When the woman returned to Pune, she was pregnant. Her family urged Mahadik to marry her but he refused.
The girl's cousin then lodged a complaint with the police and Mahadik was arrested, the prosecution said.
Later, a DNA test confirmed that Mahadik was the father of the child.
However, Judge R B Wasekar, acquitted Mahadik saying that the woman was then over 18 years of age, had willingly gone to Pune with him and had lodged the complaint months after the incident.
Before pronouncing the judgement, Wasekar asked Mahadik what he planned to do since he had spent nearly one and a half years in prison.
Mahadik replied that he intended to take up the responsibility of his child and even marry the girl, if she was willing.
