In this blog, Sriraksha, CLPR Litigation Associate, traces Supreme Court judgments on crimes committed in the name of honour. She highlights why a comprehensive legal framework is the need of the hour to protect the right of an individual to choose their own partner.
Last month, a Special Court at Madurai convicted 10 of committing an honour crime in Tamil Nadu. The verdict led to renewed demands for a separate legislation that targets the heinous acts known as ‘honour killings’. This piece outlines the current legal framework for dealing with such acts and how a targeted law will be better equipped to ensure their deterrence.
On April 27, 2021, a two-judge bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud, rendered a judgement in a criminal appeal against the judgment of Andhra Pradesh HC. The case was about the rape of a visually challenged girl belonging to the Scheduled Caste. The High Court had confirmed the conviction of the appellant under Section 3(2)(v) of the SC/ST Atrocities Act, 1989 “the Act” as well as Section 376(1) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.