Marital Rape

Supreme Court's observation on marital rape in abortion ruling does not make it an offence, activists say

In a significant ruling on the reproductive rights of women, the SC told on Thursday that all women are entitled to safe and legal abortion till 24 weeks of pregnancy under the MTP Act, and making any distinction on the basis of their marital status is "constitutionally unsustainable"

Sexual assault by husband can take form of rape, says Supreme Court. Understanding why this is significant

Forceful pregnancy of a married woman can be treated as ‘marital rape’, the Supreme Court ruled on Thursday. While the order recognises marital rape purely within the ambit of abortion, it is significant for women in India, where a sexual assault by a husband is not criminalised

Marital rape: Supreme Court to hear on 16 September pleas arising out of Delhi HC's split verdict

The counsel said both the judges of the division bench of the high court had granted the certificate of leave to appeal to the Supreme Court

Kerala court says sexual harassment invalid if woman wears provocative dress: When rulings let down women

From observation on marital rapes to what constitutes aggravated sexual assault under the POCSO Act, courts across India have made statements that have angered women and child right activists as well as people on social media. Here are a few such instances when rulings fell short of expectations

Appeal filed in SC against Delhi HC's split verdict on criminalisation of marital rape

The petitioners had challenged the constitutionality of the marital rape exception under Section 375 IPC (rape) on grounds that it discriminated against married women who are sexually assaulted by their husbands

Marital rape: How understanding ‘context’ rather than just focusing on ‘consent’ will help resolve the issue

It’s time we clear the ambiguity over the issue of ‘marital rape’. Either we decide to acknowledge it and make it a criminal offence, or we decide to exempt it from judicial scrutiny is a choice that the legislature and judiciary have to make

Continuance of marital rape exception egregiously problematic, says Delhi High Court's Justice Shakdher

The marital rape exception makes no allowance for the circumstances in which a wife may say 'no' to sex, Justice Shakdher added

Delhi High Court delivers split verdict on criminalising marital rape, issue to be taken up by a larger bench

During the hearing of criminalising marital rape in the Delhi High Court, Justice Rajiv Shakdher said that marital rape is violative of the Constitution, but Justice C Hari Shanker upheld the validity of Section 376B and 198B

Delhi High Court to pronounce verdict on pleas seeking criminalisation of marital rape today

The Delhi Court had on 21 February reserved its judgement on the petitions seeking to strike down the exception granted to husbands under the Indian rape law after conducting marathon hearings on the issue

Court calls out archaic marital rape laws, now it’s time for lawmakers to hear the voices of silence

While there is no denying that exception of marital rape is a colonial wrongdoing, reflection is needed to understand what is taking us so long to undo this in our independent nation