Adultery Law

Adultery law case: Supreme Court strikes down Section 497 of IPC; CJI says 'husband is not the master'

The Supreme Court on Thursday struck down the adultery law, pertaining to Section 497 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 198 of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), as unconstitutional through a majority judgement.

Full text of the judgment: Supreme Court strikes down Section 497 of IPC, rules adultery law as unconstitutional

The Constitution bench was unanimous in striking down Section 497 of the Indian Penal Code dealing with the offence of adultery, holding it as manifestly arbitrary, archaic and violative of the rights to equality and equal opportunity to women.

Adultery law struck down: As activists laud SC for upholding equality, questions raised over constitutionality of triple talaq ordinance

A five-judge Constitution bench was unanimous in holding Section 497 of the Indian Penal Code, dealing with the offence of adultery, as unconstitutional and struck down the penal provision.

Supreme Court likely to pronounce verdict on plea challenging adultery law today; Centre favoured retention of Section 497

On 5 January, the Supreme Court had referred to a five-judge Constitution bench the plea challenging the validity of the penal law on adultery.

Adultery law fails constitutionality test on equality and freedom of choice; SC must annul criminality clause

Adultery is not a crime in most of the European countries and at least half of the states in the USA. However, a few countries like Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have still retained adultery as a capital offence

Supreme Court disagrees with Centre's submission that adultery law is needed to save marriages

The Supreme Court on Wednesday disagreed with the Centre's submission that the penal provision on adultery was needed to save the sanctity of marriage.

Supreme Court reserves verdict on pleas challenging constitutional validity of adultery law

Earlier in the day, the apex court had asked the Centre "what public good" the penal law on adultery served as it provided that no offence would be made if the husband of a woman approves an adulterous relationship.

Supreme Court questions Centre's stand on defending adultery law, asks what public good does Section 497 serve

The Supreme Court asked the Centre "what public good" the penal law on adultery served as it provides that no offence would be made if the husband of a woman approves the adulterous relationship.

Supreme Court calls adultery provision in IPC a 'peculiar law', says it fails test of arbitrariness

“Both parties in adultery derive the benefit of the act. Despite that, one is treated as a victim and another punished. There is no rationality in it. The provision is a reflection of the times it was drafted," Chief Justice Dipak Misra observed.

Centre opposes plea that seeks to charge women under adultery, says law safeguards institution of marriage

The Centre on Wednesday filed an affidavit opposing a Public Interest Litigtion (PIL) that seeks to make men and women equally liable for the crime of adultery under Section 497 of the Indian Penal Code, media reports said.