Supreme Court to Address Marital Rape Immunity Debate

The Supreme Court is set to hear pleas next week on whether a husband can be immune from prosecution for raping his non-minor wife. Senior advocates have urged priority for marital rape cases under new legal frameworks replacing the Indian Penal Code. The issue poses significant legal and social implications.

The Supreme Court will next week hear pleas on the intensely debated legal question of whether a husband should enjoy immunity from prosecution for rape if he forces his non-minor wife to have sex.

A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, Justices J B Pardiwala, and Manoj Misra acknowledged senior advocate Karuna Nandy's request to prioritize cases on the issue of marital rape.

The CJI noted that the court will address the matter next week, while this week's schedule involves taxation laws. The pleas highlight concerns about exceptions under Section 375 of the now-repealed Indian Penal Code and its replacement, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.