Supreme Court begins hearing pleas seeking quashing of adultery law
New Delhi, Aug 2 (IBNS): The Supreme Court on Wednesday began hearing to examine the constitutional validity of adultery law, media reports said.
The pleas have been made seeking quash of adultery provision in the Indian Penal Code (IPC) on the ground that it only victimizes men for having an extra-marital sexual relationship with a married woman.
Headed by Chief Justice of India, Dipak Misra, a five-judge constitutional bench- comprising Justices RF Nariman, AM Khanwilkar, DY Chandrachud and Indu Malhotra- is hearing the case.
The bench said it is not looking to make the offence for women as well.
According to the law, any man, who gets involved into a sexual intercourse with a married women without the permission of the woman's husband, not amounting to rape, will be considered to have committed adultery.
However, as per the law, the wife cannot be punished. The man can be punished with an imprisonment for a period which may extend to five years or with fine or both for committing adultery.
The bench also considered adultery as a reason for divorce.
Advocate Kaleeswaram Raj, an Indian who lives in Italy, told The Times Of India that he is seeking the quash of the law as it is not gender neutral and violates the fundamental right to privacy.
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