Waiting for views of states in marital rape case: Centre to SC

The Centre on Monday informed the Supreme Court that it has sought the views of the state governments on a petition seeking criminalisation of marital rape.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing on behalf of the Centre, told a bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud that besides legal ramifications, the matter will have social ramifications as well. He said the Centre had taken a similar stand before the Delhi High Court, which was recently adjudicating on the same issue.

Mehta said the Centre told the high court that since the matter involves "social ramifications", the states have been asked to share their inputs. He also sought time to file a counter to the plea.


The bench permitted the Centre time till February 15 to file its counter and posted the matter for resumed hearing on March 21.

In September last year, the top court had sought the Centre's response in an appeal against the split verdict of the Delhi High Court in the marital rape case dealing with the validity of Exception 2 to Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).