Adultery in India is no longer a crime, court rules

September 27, 2018
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Indian’s top court has ruled that adultery in India is no longer a criminal offence.

The Supreme Court has overturned a 158-year-old law which says any man who has sex with a married woman, with no permission from her husband, is guilty of the criminal act of adultery.

A petitioner had challenged the law saying it was arbitrary and discriminated against men and women.

According to the BBC, while reading out the judgement, Chief Justice Dipak Misra said,  "adultery can be ground for civil issues including dissolution of marriage but it cannot be a criminal offence."

He added that the law discriminated against women, saying "treating women with indignity or discrimination invites the wrath of the constitution".

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