Marital Rape

In a relied to husband, the Supreme Court acquitted a man alleged of 'rape' for having sex with a minor wife. On March 6, the Top Court acquitted man, relying on Exception 2 to section 375 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC.) As per the IPC section, marital rape is exempted if the wife is above 15 years old. A bench of Justice BR Gavai and Sanjay Karol took  decision.

On February 2, Union Minister Smriti Irani addressed concerns over "marital rape" and demand of classifying it as crime. "It's not right to call all men rapists" said Irani. She further highlighted helpline numbers, support centres, and other centres, which helped 66 lakh women, victim of marital rape in India. BJP leader Sushil Modi also participated and said, stating marital rape as crime will break Institution of marriage. 

Upholding the verdict by a family court, the Kerala High Court ruled that a woman can claim divorce based on ''marital rape'' under the ''good ground'' on August 6. The Court said, ''Marital rape...falls in the frame of physical and mental cruelty'' Notably, the bench dismissed the appeal of a husband who had challenged the family court's decision of granting divorce on the ground of cruelty.