Khap Panchayats' diktat on inter-caste marriages illegal: SC
Tuesday, 16 January 2018 (14:43 IST)
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday said that any adult man or woman can opt for inter-caste marriage and Khap Panchayat cannot question it.A three-judge bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dipak Misra and also comprising Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud, said, "If the central government does not enact a law to protect couples vulnerable because of the nature of their marriage, the SC will evolve a principle and lay down guidelines."The apex court also observed, adult girl or adult man can enter into marriage. "No Panchayat, no society, parents can stop them," while hearing a petition filed by an NGO, Shakti Vahini, against Khap panchayats.
The apex court also made it clear that it was a 2010 matter and said the government has not filed its suggestions yet. "You don't take these matters seriously," a bench of the top court headed by CJI Misra told the ASG (Additional Solicitor-General) Pinky Anand.It also said that no Panchayat or Khap can summon an adult boy or an adult girl regarding a marriage alliance of their choice and decide punishing them.Amicus Curiae (Friend of the Court) Raju Ramachandran told the apex court bench that the Law Commission had recommended enacting a law to protect couples going for inter-caste marriages but the government was lethargically taking views of the state governments.(UNI)