Adultery Is A Crime.. Supreme Court's Verdict To Be Changed?

Is the law on a crucial aspect to be changed? A parliamentary panel working on contradicting the old Supreme Court's verdict made a few amendments which became a big topic. Parliamentary panel's suggestion to consider section 497 as an offense that was struck down by the Supreme Court might turn controversial. It is said that the panel suggested adultery and prostitution should be seen as offenses.

The parliamentary panel submitted its report with the suggestions to the Centre. It is said that the panel observed that marriage institution is sacred and there is a need to protect it and submitted a report on the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita. Reports also say that the panel suggested adultery should be seen as a gender-neutral crime and in these cases, both the man and the woman should be made to bear the responsibility equally.

In a bid to end the British-era laws, the Narendra Modi government at the Centre is trying to bring new laws the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill 2023, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill 2023. A parliamentary panel was set up seeking a report on these aspects. It was sent to the BJP MP Brij Lal-led Standing Committee on Home Affairs. Now a report on this was sent to the Centre.

Earlier in September 2018, the country's top court Supreme Court said that adultery cannot be seen as an offense. Hearing a petition filed by an NRI, the Supreme Court termed IPC Section 497 which sees prostitution as an offense is against the Constitution and hinders personal freedom. Now the panel is believed to have made suggestions to consider adultery and prostitution as offenses.