The Supreme Court on Wednesday quashed the rape-on-false-promise-of-marriage case filed by an actress against Tamil film director and politician Seeman, after both parties submitted affidavits agreeing to end all ongoing litigation.

A Bench of Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice R Mahadevan took note of the settlement, observing that Seeman had tendered an unconditional apology, withdrawn all allegations made against the actress, and undertaken not to contact her in any form. In turn, the actress filed an affidavit withdrawing her complaint and FIR against Seeman.

Recording the mutual settlement, the Bench observed:

“The object and purpose of filing these affidavits by the parties is in order to give a quietus to all controversies and litigations between the parties. The affidavits have been filed in a spirit of bringing to an end all litigations and court proceedings between the parties.”

The Court further noted that both sides had expressed intent to cease all legal proceedings and that the actress had also agreed not to make any public or media statements against Seeman, including on digital platforms.

Senior Advocate Shadan Farasat, appearing for the actress, submitted that his client’s withdrawal of the complaint should also be viewed as an implicit apology to Seeman. He further urged that members of Seeman’s political party refrain from making any remarks against the actress. Senior Advocate Gopal Sankarnarayanan, appearing for Seeman, assured the Court, stating, “That we will make sure.”

Setting aside the Madras High Court’s order that had refused to quash the FIR, the Supreme Court held:

“We find that interest of justice would be served if the impugned order is set aside.”

Since the complainant had formally undertaken to withdraw all complaints and FIRs against Seeman, the Court quashed the FIR and directed both parties to honour their undertakings “in letter and in spirit.”

The case stemmed from a 2011 FIR against Seeman under Sections 417, 420, 354, 376, and 506(1) of the IPC, read with Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act, based on allegations that he maintained a relationship with the complainant between 2007 and 2011 under a false promise of marriage.

In March 2025, the Supreme Court had stayed the Madras High Court’s refusal to quash the FIR to facilitate an amicable settlement. Later, on September 12, 2025, the Bench suggested that Seeman tender an apology for his past remarks, indicating that it would consider quashing the FIR upon such an apology. The present order formally brings the 14-year-old case to a close.

Case Title: Seeman v. State
Case No.: SLP(Crl) No. 3287/2025
Bench: Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice R Mahadevan