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SC decries sex with minor bride as a “discriminatory, capricious and punishable act”

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9 years ago

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Apex court verdict is only on the issue of sex between husband and wife who is aged between 15 and 18 years, not on larger issue of marital rape

In a landmark order, a Supreme Court bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta has decided that a husband’s having sex with his wife who is aged between 15 and 18 years is a punishable offence under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) – as amended by the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013. The bench directed that the police can arrest and prosecute the husband if the wife complains.

This is the verdict that the Bench delivered on Wednesday (October 11), but the top court also made it clear that it has not dealt with the issue of marital rape. That issue is being heard at the Delhi High Court, so the apex court has not moved into that realm. In case of marital rape, age ceases to be an issue. This is a specific area within the wider issue of marital rape.

In giving its verdict, the apex court clearly stated that Exception 2 to Section 375 of the IPC (law on rape) was “discriminatory, capricious and arbitrary under Article 14” (which provides for equality before the law and equal protection… and prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth, or any of them) of the Indian Constitution as well as under the POCSO Act.

The Bench also observed in its judgment that the states and the Centre must make some guidelines related to this. The case came up through a writ petition filed by an NGO Independent Thought, questioning the constitutionality of a provision permitting a man to have physical relationship with his wife if she is aged between 15 and 18 years.

The Bench also expressed its concern over the practice of child marriage, observing that social justice laws are not being implemented with the spirit with which they have been enacted. It said the government has to take action to stop the mass child marriages that take place on the occasion of Akshay Tritiya and other such religious occasions.

Explaining the reading down of Exception 2 of the section, the Bench said: “The exception in rape law under the IPC is contrary to other statutes, violates bodily integrity of girl child.”

The Supreme Court had completed its hearing on the issue on September 6 and had reserved its judgment.

While the Supreme Court Bench clarified that it had not dealt with marital rape, the NGO’s contention in its writ was that this act of the husband, without the consent of the bride, needs to also be termed marital rape.

In fact, it was clear in the argument of advocate Rana Mukerjee, for the Union of India, that the age of consent was important. He had said: “The Law Commission’s 77th report makes a provision for the girl to report any sexual offence, directly to highest police authorities. From the 13th Law Commission report pertaining to consent to have sexual intercourse, a committee was formed which raised the age of consent from 16 to 18years.”

“A committee formed under Justice Verma relied on this reference and recommended a compulsory age of 18 years to have sexual intercourse,” the counsel had said. However, Mukerjee had virtually contradicted himself in placing before the court the position of the government, when he had said: “Consideration of rape in marriages would weaken traditional family values in India, and that marriage presumes consent.”

Then, as a backup thought, he had said that 15 to 18 years is a qualified age to have sexual intercourse. Even, Muslim Law recognises 15 years as the age of puberty.

This assumption that marriage presumes consent has not gone down well with the court. Not only does it run in the face of age of consent (18), it also presumes that even if the bride refuses to have sex the law will assume that she has consented.

All of that has been struck down by the court on Wednesday.

-India Legal Bureau

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Asish Banerjee found dead in Rampurhat, Mamata Banerjee aide’s death shocks TMC

Former West Bengal deputy speaker and five-time Rampurhat MLA Asish Banerjee was found dead at a Trinamool Congress office in Birbhum.

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3 hours ago

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August 16, 2026

By

Mamata Banerjee

Former West Bengal Assembly deputy speaker and Trinamool Congress leader Asish Banerjee was found dead at a party office next to his residence in Rampurhat, Birbhum district, on Sunday morning.

Police said his body was found hanging and was sent for postmortem. A large crowd gathered outside the Trinamool Congress office after news of his death spread.

Who was Asish Banerjee?

Asish Banerjee had served as the deputy speaker of the West Bengal Assembly when Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee was the state’s chief minister. He was also a five-time MLA from Rampurhat.

He had served as Bengal’s education and agriculture minister after Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress first came to power in the state.

Banerjee contested the West Bengal Assembly election earlier this year but lost the Rampurhat seat to BJP’s Dhruba Saha.

Asish Banerjee’s recent party role

Banerjee stepped down as chairman of the Trinamool Congress’s Birbhum district core committee in June. At the time, he said he would continue as a general member of the party.

He lived in the Hattalapara neighbourhood of Rampurhat, with the party office where his body was found located next to his house.

BJP gains in Birbhum

The BJP won six of the 11 Assembly constituencies in Birbhum in the latest state election. This marked a significant change from 2021, when the Trinamool Congress had won 10 seats in the district while the BJP had secured one.

Police have sent Asish Banerjee’s body for postmortem as the circumstances surrounding his death are being investigated.

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IPS Officer Nupur Prasad gets Medal for Meritorious Service after Sushant Singh Rajput probe

IPS officer Nupur Prasad, who led the CBI investigation into Sushant Singh Rajput’s death, has been selected for the Medal for Meritorious Service this year.

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1 day ago

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August 15, 2026

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IPS officer Nupur Prasad, who led the CBI investigation into actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death, has been recognised with the Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) this year.

A 2007-batch AGMUT cadre officer, Ms Prasad recently returned to the Delhi Police after completing her tenure with the CBI. She is currently serving as Joint Commissioner of Police in the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), where she oversees investigations involving financial and economic crimes.

The award is part of this year’s recognition for police personnel for distinguished and meritorious service. Such honours recognise contributions in areas including investigation, crime prevention, public service, law and order and administration.

Nupur Prasad’s role in Sushant Singh Rajput case

Ms Prasad came into national focus during the CBI investigation into the death of Sushant Singh Rajput, who was found dead at his Mumbai residence on June 14, 2020.

The case was transferred to the CBI in August 2020 following a complaint by the actor’s family and a legal dispute over jurisdiction.

During her tenure with the agency, Ms Prasad supervised key aspects of the investigation, including the examination of witness statements, forensic evidence and medical records.

In 2025, the CBI filed closure reports, saying its investigation found no evidence of foul play, abetment to suicide or criminal conspiracy in the actor’s death.

Career across Delhi Police, CBI

Ms Prasad has served in several positions during her career, including assignments in the Delhi Police, CBI, Arunachal Pradesh and West Bengal.

Before joining the CBI, she held senior positions in the Delhi Police and became the first Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of Shahdara. During her tenure, she worked on establishing the district’s policing framework following its creation.

She also led operations targeting drug networks and illegal gambling activities while focusing on crime-prevention measures.

Later, as DCP of North Delhi, she oversaw security arrangements for major events, including Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort and Delhi University elections.

Community-focused policing initiatives

Beyond investigations, Ms Prasad has been associated with community-focused programmes involving women’s self-defence, youth development, cyber safety and drug de-addiction.

During her CBI tenure, she was also associated with several prominent investigations. Media reports have linked her to cases concerning businessman Vijay Mallya and the AgustaWestland helicopter deal.

Current role in Delhi Police

After completing her assignment with the CBI, Ms Prasad returned to the Delhi Police and took charge as Joint Commissioner of Police in the Economic Offences Wing.

The latest recognition adds to her career spanning investigations, policing and public service across several challenging assignments.

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Kharge, Rahul Gandhi skip Independence Day event for 2nd straight year

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi skipped the 80th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort for the second consecutive year.

Published

1 day ago

on

August 15, 2026

By

Rahul Kharge

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi skipped the 80th Independence Day celebrations at Delhi’s Red Fort for the second consecutive year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the Independence Day celebrations at the historic venue on Saturday.

The absence of the two senior Congress leaders comes amid strained relations between the ruling party and the Opposition, which further deteriorated during the Monsoon Session of Parliament that concluded on Thursday.

2024 seating controversy

Rahul Gandhi had attended the Independence Day celebrations in 2024 but his seating arrangement triggered a controversy. The Congress leader, who holds the status of a Cabinet minister as Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, was seated in the second-last row during the ceremony at the Red Fort.

The Opposition had criticised the seating arrangement, calling it an insult to the people. The Defence Ministry, which organised the event, said the arrangement had been modified to accommodate Olympians at the venue.

According to protocol, the Leader of the Opposition is seated in the front row during ceremonial events.

Opposition-ruling party tensions

Relations between the government and the Opposition remained tense during the Monsoon Session, which ended on Thursday.

The session saw repeated clashes between the two sides, with both the Opposition and the ruling party blaming each other for the low productivity of Parliament.

The session began on July 20, with students marching towards Parliament on the first day. Twelve bills were passed during the session, while detailed discussion took place on only one legislation, concerning paper leaks.

The Congress, along with the Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party, also boycotted the customary tea party hosted by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla after the House was adjourned sine die.

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