{"id":37796,"date":"2024-04-16T06:09:12","date_gmt":"2024-04-16T06:09:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/?p=37796"},"modified":"2024-04-16T06:09:13","modified_gmt":"2024-04-16T06:09:13","slug":"adultery-no-longer-a-crime-supreme-court-upsc-social-justice-notes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/adultery-no-longer-a-crime-supreme-court-upsc-social-justice-notes\/","title":{"rendered":"Adultery No Longer a Crime: Supreme Court &#8211; UPSC Social Justice Notes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/upsc\/upsc-cse-gs-integrated-course?utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Banner&amp;utm_campaign=GS+Integrated\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/8.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-42401\" srcset=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/8.png 1280w, https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/8-1170x274.png 1170w, https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/8-585x137.png 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In a landmark decision echoing the evolving societal norms and values, the Supreme Court has struck down the archaic provision criminalizing adultery, heralding a new era of personal autonomy and individual freedom. With this ruling, the highest court has unequivocally affirmed the right to privacy and equality within marriages, recognizing the need to discard outdated moral judgments from the legal sphere. This groundbreaking verdict not only marks a significant legal milestone but also underscores the judiciary&#8217;s commitment to upholding modern principles of justice and human rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_73 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69f1bf7979e74\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69f1bf7979e74\"  \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/adultery-no-longer-a-crime-supreme-court-upsc-social-justice-notes\/#Section_497_of_the_IPC\" title=\"Section 497 of the IPC&nbsp;\">Section 497 of the IPC&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/adultery-no-longer-a-crime-supreme-court-upsc-social-justice-notes\/#Supreme_Court_Strikes_Down_Section_497\" title=\"Supreme Court Strikes Down Section 497:&nbsp;\">Supreme Court Strikes Down Section 497:&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/adultery-no-longer-a-crime-supreme-court-upsc-social-justice-notes\/#Courts_Rationale_in_Decriminalizing_Adultery\" title=\"Court&#8217;s Rationale in Decriminalizing Adultery:&nbsp;\">Court&#8217;s Rationale in Decriminalizing Adultery:&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/adultery-no-longer-a-crime-supreme-court-upsc-social-justice-notes\/#FAQs\" title=\"FAQs\">FAQs<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/adultery-no-longer-a-crime-supreme-court-upsc-social-justice-notes\/#Q_Is_adultery_still_a_crime_in_India_after_the_Supreme_Court_ruling\" title=\"Q: Is adultery still a crime in India after the Supreme Court ruling?\">Q: Is adultery still a crime in India after the Supreme Court ruling?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/adultery-no-longer-a-crime-supreme-court-upsc-social-justice-notes\/#Q_What_led_to_the_Supreme_Courts_decision_to_decriminalize_adultery\" title=\"Q: What led to the Supreme Court&#8217;s decision to decriminalize adultery?\">Q: What led to the Supreme Court&#8217;s decision to decriminalize adultery?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/adultery-no-longer-a-crime-supreme-court-upsc-social-justice-notes\/#Q_What_are_the_implications_of_the_Supreme_Courts_decision_on_adultery\" title=\"Q: What are the implications of the Supreme Court&#8217;s decision on adultery?\">Q: What are the implications of the Supreme Court&#8217;s decision on adultery?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/adultery-no-longer-a-crime-supreme-court-upsc-social-justice-notes\/#Q_Does_the_decriminalization_of_adultery_mean_there_are_no_legal_consequences_for_extramarital_affairs\" title=\"Q: Does the decriminalization of adultery mean there are no legal consequences for extramarital affairs?\">Q: Does the decriminalization of adultery mean there are no legal consequences for extramarital affairs?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/adultery-no-longer-a-crime-supreme-court-upsc-social-justice-notes\/#Q_How_does_the_Supreme_Courts_ruling_align_with_changing_societal_attitudes_towards_relationships_and_marriage\" title=\"Q: How does the Supreme Court&#8217;s ruling align with changing societal attitudes towards relationships and marriage?\">Q: How does the Supreme Court&#8217;s ruling align with changing societal attitudes towards relationships and marriage?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/adultery-no-longer-a-crime-supreme-court-upsc-social-justice-notes\/#In_case_you_still_have_your_doubts_contact_us_on_9811333901\" title=\"In case you still have your doubts, contact us on 9811333901.&nbsp;\">In case you still have your doubts, contact us on 9811333901.&nbsp;<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/adultery-no-longer-a-crime-supreme-court-upsc-social-justice-notes\/#Visit_our_YouTube_Channel_%E2%80%93_here\" title=\"Visit our YouTube Channel &#8211;&nbsp;here\">Visit our YouTube Channel &#8211;&nbsp;here<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Section_497_of_the_IPC\"><\/span><strong>Section 497 of the IPC<\/strong>&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It mandates that whoever has <strong><em>sexual intercourse with the wife of another man, without the consent or connivance of that man, such sexual intercourse not amounting the offence of rape is guilty of the offence of adultery and shall be punished.<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The law does not punish his wife, since it presumes that only a man can seduce a woman into a sexual act, and that it is the husband who has suffered due to the sexual relationship of his wife, carried out without his consent. At the same time, the wife is not protected from similar behaviour committed by her husband.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Supreme_Court_Strikes_Down_Section_497\"><\/span><strong>Supreme Court Strikes Down Section 497:<\/strong>&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Historic Decision: <\/strong>The Supreme Court has declared the 158-year-old Section 497 of the Indian Penal Code, criminalizing adultery, as unconstitutional.\u00a0<\/li><li><strong>Bench and Unanimous Verdict: <\/strong>A five-judge Bench, led by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, unanimously struck down Section 497 and Section 198 of the Criminal Procedure Code.\u00a0<\/li><li><strong>Constitutional Violations: <\/strong>The court found Section 497 in violation of Article 21 (Right to life and personal liberty) and Article 14 (Right to equality).\u00a0<\/li><li><strong>Privacy and Adultery: <\/strong>The judgment emphasized that criminalizing infidelity encroaches upon the privacy of individuals. While adultery may lead to marital issues, criminality is an excessive measure.\u00a0<\/li><li><strong>Absence of Supporting Data: <\/strong>The court debunked claims suggesting chaos in sexual morality or an increase in divorce due to the abolition of adultery as a crime, citing the lack of supporting data.\u00a0<\/li><li><strong>Equality and Dignity: <\/strong>The decision challenged the <strong><em>Doctrine of Coverture,<\/em><\/strong> stating that a woman does not lose her identity and legal rights after marriage. It asserted that the legal sovereignty of one sex over the other is incorrect.\u00a0<\/li><li><strong>Autonomy and Sexual Choices: <\/strong>Marriage does not imply surrendering autonomy. <strong><em>The ability to make sexual choices is deemed essential to human liberty,<\/em><\/strong> even within private spaces.\u00a0<\/li><li><strong>Abetment to Suicide Clause: <\/strong>The court clarified that if an aggrieved spouse ended her life due to adultery, it could be treated as abetment to suicide with proper evidence.\u00a0<\/li><li><strong>Critique of Societal Norms: <\/strong>The judgment criticized societal imposition of virtues on women, objectification, and confinement to traditional roles while highlighting society&#8217;s indifference to issues like rape, honor killings, and gender-based crimes.\u00a0<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Courts_Rationale_in_Decriminalizing_Adultery\"><\/span><strong>Court&#8217;s Rationale in Decriminalizing Adultery:<\/strong>&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Anomalies in Existing Law: <\/strong>The court highlighted the anomalies in the existing law, where an adulterous relationship was not considered an offence if the married woman had her husband&#8217;s consent.\u00a0<\/li><li><strong>Matrimonial Home Sanctity: <\/strong>The law didn&#8217;t allow a wife to prosecute her husband or his lover for violating the sanctity of the matrimonial home, creating a one-sided legal scenario.\u00a0<\/li><li><strong>Gender Discrimination: <\/strong>Section 497 discriminated on grounds of sex, permitting only a husband to prosecute the man involved with his wife. It also ignored cases where the husband had affairs with unmarried, divorced, or widowed women.\u00a0<\/li><li><strong>Violation of Fundamental Rights: <\/strong>The court emphasized the fundamental right to make choices as integral to human liberty and dignity. <strong><em>Section 497 restricted women&#8217;s autonomy in making these choices, violating Article 14 (equality) and Article 15.<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/li><li><strong>Changing Attitudes: <\/strong>The court acknowledged the <strong><em>shift from &#8220;ancient notions&#8221; where the man was seen as the seducer and the woman as the victim.<\/em><\/strong> It stated that a husband is neither the master of his wife nor has legal sovereignty over her.\u00a0<\/li><li><strong>Arbitrary Nature of Section 497: <\/strong>Section 497 was deemed arbitrary for punishing only men in cases of adultery and treating a woman as her husband&#8217;s property.\u00a0<\/li><li><strong>Global Decriminalization Trends: <\/strong>The court took cognizance of the global trend towards decriminalizing adultery, aligning India with contemporary legal developments in other jurisdictions.\u00a0<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQs\"><\/span>FAQs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q_Is_adultery_still_a_crime_in_India_after_the_Supreme_Court_ruling\"><\/span><strong>Q: Is adultery still a crime in India after the Supreme Court ruling?<\/strong> <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>No, adultery is no longer considered a criminal offense in India following the landmark ruling by the Supreme Court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q_What_led_to_the_Supreme_Courts_decision_to_decriminalize_adultery\"><\/span>Q: <strong>What led to the Supreme Court&#8217;s decision to decriminalize adultery?<\/strong> <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Supreme Court ruled that Section 497 of the Indian Penal Code, which criminalized adultery, was unconstitutional as it violated the fundamental rights to equality and privacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q_What_are_the_implications_of_the_Supreme_Courts_decision_on_adultery\"><\/span>Q: <strong>What are the implications of the Supreme Court&#8217;s decision on adultery?<\/strong> <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The ruling signifies a significant shift towards recognizing individual autonomy and personal choices in intimate relationships. It also marks a departure from outdated colonial-era laws that infringed upon privacy and autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q_Does_the_decriminalization_of_adultery_mean_there_are_no_legal_consequences_for_extramarital_affairs\"><\/span>Q: <strong>Does the decriminalization of adultery mean there are no legal consequences for extramarital affairs?<\/strong> <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>While adultery is no longer a criminal offense, it can still have legal ramifications in civil matters such as divorce proceedings, alimony, and child custody disputes. However, it is no longer a criminal offense punishable by imprisonment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q_How_does_the_Supreme_Courts_ruling_align_with_changing_societal_attitudes_towards_relationships_and_marriage\"><\/span>Q: <strong>How does the Supreme Court&#8217;s ruling align with changing societal attitudes towards relationships and marriage?<\/strong> <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The decision reflects evolving societal norms that prioritize personal autonomy and equality within relationships. It acknowledges the need for laws to reflect contemporary values and respect individuals&#8217; rights to make choices about their intimate lives without state interference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/upsc\/upsc-essay?utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Banner&amp;utm_campaign=Essay\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/UPSC-Essay-Course-1280\u00d7300-1-3.svg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-42688 lazyload\" width=\"781\" height=\"182\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 781px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 781\/182;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"block-c6ab63ae-7083-4831-b519-cb89dacafb18\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"In_case_you_still_have_your_doubts_contact_us_on_9811333901\"><\/span><strong>In case you still have your doubts, contact us on 9811333901.<\/strong>&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-52c5a91b-6ed6-46e3-b781-7cc0c63a0b76\">For UPSC Prelims Resources,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/upsc-cse-prelims-resource-centre\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Click here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-d014fe86-d628-49d8-82ce-6c60dc6e7a73\">For Daily Updates and Study Material:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-38177954-e668-4d8d-b250-d0fbd5a09390\">Join our Telegram Channel &#8211;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/t.me\/WithEdukemy4IAS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Edukemy for IAS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\" id=\"block-49ca2fe3-109f-4a88-b72e-9df49c3d328e\"><li>1. Learn through Videos &#8211;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3vOD8sU\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a><\/li><li>2. Be Exam Ready by Practicing Daily MCQs &#8211;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3Q9z2nF\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a><\/li><li>3. Daily Newsletter &#8211; Get all your Current Affairs Covered &#8211;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3bE2y5J\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a><\/li><li>4. Mains Answer Writing Practice &#8211;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3mZuVxl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"block-43ccddc1-5348-445f-ab6b-7baaf29fe58d\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Visit_our_YouTube_Channel_%E2%80%93_here\"><\/span>Visit our YouTube Channel &#8211;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@EduKemyforIAS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>the Supreme Court has struck down the archaic provision criminalizing adultery, heralding a new era of personal autonomy and individual freedom. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":37797,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3141],"tags":[3172,232,213,140,3140],"class_list":["post-37796","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-social-justice-notes","tag-adultery","tag-upsc","tag-upsc-notes","tag-upsc_preparation_strategy","tag-upsc-social-justice-notes"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37796","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37796"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37796\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":37799,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37796\/revisions\/37799"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/37797"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37796"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37796"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37796"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}