{"id":21865,"date":"2026-04-12T07:53:36","date_gmt":"2026-04-12T07:53:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/?p=21865"},"modified":"2026-04-12T08:02:30","modified_gmt":"2026-04-12T08:02:30","slug":"marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/","title":{"rendered":"Marital Rape: A Threat Against Right To Equality"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"introduction\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Introduction\"><\/span>Introduction<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Of the all sections of the society, it\u2019s women who have undergone a lot of humiliation and degradation in a male-dominated society. The Indian women have come a long way from women sages and scholars in Rig Vedic period to the women of today. This journey towards modernization was not easy as they had fought the traditional Indian male dominated society to emerge as stronger and independent entities.<\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #0c0c0c;color:#0c0c0c\" 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: #0c0c0c;color:#0c0c0c\" 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><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<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:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Introduction\" >Introduction<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Status_Of_Marital_Rape_In_India\" >Status Of Marital Rape In India<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Historical_And_Social_Perspective\" >Historical And Social Perspective<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Legal_Framework_In_India\" >Legal Framework In India<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Nature_And_Impact_Of_Rape\" >Nature And Impact Of Rape<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Historical_Background\" >Historical Background<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Key_Points_%E2%80%93_Historical_Background\" >Key Points \u2013 Historical Background<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Contemporary_Context\" >Contemporary Context<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#NFHS-4_Statistics_Summary\" >NFHS-4 Statistics Summary<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Survey_Scope\" >Survey Scope<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#The_42nd_Law_Commission_Report_1971\" >The 42nd Law Commission Report, 1971<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Analysis_of_the_42nd_Report\" >Analysis of the 42nd Report<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#IPC_BNS_2023_by_the_Criminal_Law_Amendment_Act_of_2012\" >IPC (BNS 2023) by the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 2012<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Punishment_Provision_Summary\" >Punishment Provision Summary<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#The_172nd_Law_Commission_Report_2000\" >The 172nd Law Commission Report, 2000<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Key_Takeaways\" >Key Takeaways<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Justice_JS_Verma_Committee_Report_on_Amendments_to_Criminal_Law_2013\" >Justice J.S. Verma Committee Report on Amendments to Criminal Law, 2013<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Key_Takeaways-2\" >Key Takeaways<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#167th_Report_of_the_Parliamentary_Standing_Committee_on_The_Criminal_Law_Amendment_Bill_2012\" >167th Report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on The Criminal Law Amendment Bill, 2012<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Divergent_Views_Summary\" >Divergent Views Summary<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Parliamentary_Discussions\" >Parliamentary Discussions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Key_Points\" >Key Points<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#The_172nd_Law_Commission_Report_2000-2\" >The 172nd Law Commission Report, 2000<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Key_Takeaways-3\" >Key Takeaways<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Justice_JS_Verma_Committee_Report_on_Amendments_to_Criminal_Law_2013-2\" >Justice J.S. Verma Committee Report on Amendments to Criminal Law, 2013<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-26\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Key_Takeaways-4\" >Key Takeaways<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-27\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#167th_Report_of_the_Parliamentary_Standing_Committee_on_The_Criminal_Law_Amendment_Bill_2012-2\" >167th Report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on The Criminal Law Amendment Bill, 2012<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-28\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Divergent_Views_Summary-2\" >Divergent Views Summary<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-29\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Parliamentary_Discussions-2\" >Parliamentary Discussions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-30\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Key_Points-2\" >Key Points<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-31\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Constitutional_Law\" >Constitutional Law<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-32\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Article_14\" >Article 14<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-33\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Article_21\" >Article 21<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-34\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Right_To_Live_With_Human_Dignity\" >Right To Live With Human Dignity<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-35\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Right_To_Sexual_Privacy\" >Right To Sexual Privacy<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-36\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Right_To_Good_Health\" >Right To Good Health<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-37\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Criminal_Law\" >Criminal Law<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-38\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Types_Of_Marital_Rape_Under_Law\" >Types Of Marital Rape Under Law<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-39\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Landmark_Judgments\" >Landmark Judgments<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-40\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Independent_Thought_v_Union_of_India\" >Independent Thought v. Union of India<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-41\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Navtej_Singh_Johar_v_Union_of_India\" >Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-42\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Joseph_Shine_v_Union_of_India\" >Joseph Shine v. Union of India<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-43\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#The_Protection_Of_Women_From_Domestic_Violence_Act_2005\" >The Protection Of Women From Domestic Violence Act, 2005<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-44\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Kinds_Of_Marital_Rape\" >Kinds Of Marital Rape<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-45\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Violent_Rape\" >Violent Rape<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-46\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#%E2%80%98Force-Only_Rape\" >&#8216;Force-Only&#8217; Rape<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-47\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Sadistic_Rape\" >Sadistic Rape<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-48\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Anger_Rapes\" >Anger Rapes<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-49\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Power_Rapes\" >Power Rapes<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-50\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Summary_Table\" >Summary Table<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-51\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Legal_Position_Of_Marital_Rape_In_Other_Countries\" >Legal Position Of Marital Rape In Other Countries<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-52\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Country-Wise_Legal_Framework\" >Country-Wise Legal Framework<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-53\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#German_Law_On_Marital_Rape\" >German Law On Marital Rape<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-54\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#UK_Law_On_Marital_Rape\" >U.K. Law On Marital Rape<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#French_Law_On_Marital_Rape\" >French Law On Marital Rape<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-56\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Bhutan_Law_On_Marital_Rape\" >Bhutan Law On Marital Rape<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-57\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Supreme_Court_Of_India_On_Marital_Rape\" >Supreme Court Of India On Marital Rape<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-58\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#United_Nations_Stand_On_Marital_Rape\" >United Nations Stand On Marital Rape<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-59\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Recognising_Marital_Rape_As_Offence-_Issues_And_Concerns_In_India\" >Recognising Marital Rape As Offence- Issues And Concerns In India<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-60\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Patriarchal_Society\" >Patriarchal Society<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-61\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Implied_Consent_Theory\" >Implied Consent Theory<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-62\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Doctrine_Of_Coverture\" >Doctrine Of Coverture<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-63\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Gender_Discrimination_Issues\" >Gender Discrimination Issues<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-64\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Exemption_Under_IPC\" >Exemption Under IPC<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-65\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Applicability_Of_Mandatory_Factor\" >Applicability Of Mandatory Factor<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-66\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Implied_Consent_Theory-2\" >Implied Consent Theory<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-67\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Doctrine_Of_Coverture-2\" >Doctrine Of Coverture<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-68\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Gender_Discrimination_Issues-2\" >Gender Discrimination Issues<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-69\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Exemption_Under_IPC-2\" >Exemption Under IPC<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-70\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Applicability_Of_Mandatory_Factor-2\" >Applicability Of Mandatory Factor<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-71\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Suggestions\" >Suggestions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-72\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Suggestions_Summary_Table\" >Suggestions Summary Table<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-73\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Conclusion\" >Conclusion<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-74\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Key_Takeaways-5\" >Key Takeaways<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-75\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/marital-rape-a-threat-against-right-to-equality\/#Bibliography\" >Bibliography<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, most of the times, it is her own family and people, who are responsible for her sufferings. Women generally prefer to suffer silently than to go to courts or seek justice in the courts\/state authorities or any outside agency. The consumerist culture has increased atrocities, domestic violence, and physical assaults on women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"status-of-marital-rape-in-india\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Status_Of_Marital_Rape_In_India\"><\/span>Status Of Marital Rape In India<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The same is the status of Marital Rape in India. The idea of the sacrosanct institution of marriage dished out by the mainstream Indian cinema is a myth and is contrary to women perceptions of reality. Though marital rape is the most common and repugnant form of masochism in Indian society, it is hidden behind the iron curtain of marriage. Social practices and legal codes in India mutually enforce the denial of women sexual agency and bodily integrity, which lie at the heart of women human rights. The law does not accept marital rape as a crime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"historical-and-social-perspective\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Historical_And_Social_Perspective\"><\/span>Historical And Social Perspective<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The most basic challenge that feminists have posed to traditional views of rape lies in the recognition of rape as a crime against the victim herself. For much of recorded history women were the property of men, with their value as property measured largely by their sexual \u201cpurity and male dominance over their sexual autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cA female slave has an admitted right, and is considered under a moral obligation, to refuse her master the last familiarity. Not so the wife. However brutal a tyrant she may unfortunately be chained to\u2026 he can claim from her and enforce the lowest degradation of human being, that of being made the instrument of an animal function contrary to her inclinations\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>This assumption is based on the premise that the wife is considered to have given her irrevocable consent to sexual intercourse to the husband at the time of the marriage and hence the husband cannot be held guilty of rape, which he may commit upon his wife. The relationship of man and woman in general and sexual relationship in particular is the natural instinct of the human being which is not only essential for the harmonious and peaceful existence of the society but that is respected and rewarded at times also since the beginning of the human civilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"legal-framework-in-india\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Legal_Framework_In_India\"><\/span>Legal Framework In India<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code,1860 (in present Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 Section 63) which defines and criminalises rape, exempts from its ambit \u201esexual intercourse or sexual acts by a man with his own wife, the wife not being under eighteen years of age\u201f. This is the premises for marital rape exemption (MRE) in India. The marital rape (also called spousal rape) is a non-consensual sexual assault in which the perpetrator is the victim&#8217;s spouse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"nature-and-impact-of-rape\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Nature_And_Impact_Of_Rape\"><\/span>Nature And Impact Of Rape<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Rape is rape, regardless of the relationship between the rapist and the victim.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rape is a very personal and intimate traumatic experience.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Law Commission of India has defined rape as the \u201eultimate violation of the self.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is humiliating event in a woman\u2019s life which leads to fear of existence and a sense of powerlessness.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"historical-background\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Historical_Background\"><\/span>Historical Background<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The concept of marital rape is not novel but is a barbarity that has been inflicted upon women since time immemorial. The marital rape exemption is a vestige of English common law. The central theorist of this doctrine of marital exemption was Sir Matthew Hale, a former Chief Justice of the Court of King\u2019s Bench in England and a Seventeenth century English Jurist, who propounded that, the husband cannot be guilty of rape committed by himself upon his lawful wife, for by their mutual matrimonial consent and contract the wife hath given up herself in this kind unto her husband which she cannot retract. Such an interpretation of matrimonial consent is extremely erroneous. It implies that a woman who gives her consent to marriage has no right to live with dignity and no right over her own body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The marital rape exemption was introduced in our judicial system primarily on account of the \u201eimpossibility of a husband raping his lawfully wedded wife. The Law Commission\u2019s recommendation in its 42nd Report, exempted non-consensual sexual intercourse with a wife living separately (under a decree of judicial separation or otherwise), from the marital rape exemption (MRE).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"key-points-historical-background\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Points_%E2%80%93_Historical_Background\"><\/span>Key Points \u2013 Historical Background<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Marital rape exemption originates from English common law.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sir Matthew Hale propounded the doctrine of irrevocable consent in marriage.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This doctrine denies bodily autonomy and dignity to married women.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The 42nd Law Commission Report created limited exceptions for separated spouses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"contemporary-context\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Contemporary_Context\"><\/span>Contemporary Context<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It is important that we look at some statistics with respect to Marital Rape in India. The National Family Health Survey-4 (NFHS-4) prepared by International Institute of Population Sciences (IIPS) under the aegis of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and published in the year 2016 reports that 5.4% of women in India have been physically forced to perform sexual intercourse with her husband when she did not want to. The data shows that the same been experienced by 4.4% of the women in the past twelve months. Also, a similar question was asked in the previous survey in the year 2005-06 where 9.5% of the women answered in the affirmative. Further, 6.9% of women said that it has happened to them often or sometimes. The survey was conducted amongst women aged between fifteen to forty-nine- years of age and men of fifteen to fifty four years of age in twenty nine states, seven Union Territories and 640 districts of the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"nfhs-statistics-summary\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"NFHS-4_Statistics_Summary\"><\/span>NFHS-4 Statistics Summary<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Parameter<\/th><th>Percentage<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Women forced into sexual intercourse by husband (lifetime)<\/td><td>5.4%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Women forced in the past 12 months<\/td><td>4.4%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Women reporting same in 2005\u201306 survey<\/td><td>9.5%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Women experiencing it often or sometimes<\/td><td>6.9%<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"survey-scope\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Survey_Scope\"><\/span>Survey Scope<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Women aged 15\u201349 years<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Men aged 15\u201354 years<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Coverage: 29 States, 7 Union Territories, 640 districts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"42nd-law-commission-report-1971\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_42nd_Law_Commission_Report_1971\"><\/span>The 42nd Law Commission Report, 1971<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This report was the first government report discussing, inter alia, the exception of marital rape under IPC. (in present Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023) It put forward the suggestion that the marital rape exception shouldnt apply in cases where the husbands and the wives were judicially separated from each other since the marriage exists only technically and also since they are not living together3. Although it was a welcome suggestion, it again gave legs to the theory of Implied Consent whereby it was fine if a husband forced himself upon the wife without her consent when married but not so much when they were judicially separated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"analysis-of-42nd-report\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Analysis_of_the_42nd_Report\"><\/span>Analysis of the 42nd Report<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Recognized the issue of marital rape under IPC.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Recommended exception removal for judicially separated spouses.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Retained the problematic doctrine of implied consent within marriage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"ipc-bns-2023-amendment\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"IPC_BNS_2023_by_the_Criminal_Law_Amendment_Act_of_2012\"><\/span>IPC (BNS 2023) by the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 2012<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>IPC (BNS 2023) by the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 2012, which said that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Whoever has sexual intercourse with his own wife, who is living separately, whether under a decree of separation or otherwise, without her consent, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than two years but which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"punishment-provision-summary\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Punishment_Provision_Summary\"><\/span>Punishment Provision Summary<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Applies when wife is living separately.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consent is mandatory.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Minimum punishment: 2 years imprisonment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maximum punishment: 7 years imprisonment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fine is also applicable.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"law-commission-report-2000\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_172nd_Law_Commission_Report_2000\"><\/span>The 172nd Law Commission Report, 2000<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It was under this report that for the first time the question of marital rape was directly put to the Law Commission. It was argued by the opponents of marital rape exception that when other facets of marital relationship have been dealt under the Criminal Law, then why non- consensual sexual intercourse forced by a husband upon his wife cant be dealt under it. The proponents of the abovementioned exception though rejected the argument on the basis that it would lead to excessive interference with the institution of marriage4. This report shed light on the reluctance of the legislature and the intelligesia to criminalize the act of rape considering Hindu marriage as a sacrament not just according to the law but also according to religion and they feared that such a provision may put the institution altogether in danger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"key-takeaways-2000\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Takeaways\"><\/span>Key Takeaways<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>First formal discussion of marital rape in Law Commission<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Conflict between criminal law and marital institution<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Marriage viewed as a sacrament influencing legal reluctance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"justice-verma-report-2013\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Justice_JS_Verma_Committee_Report_on_Amendments_to_Criminal_Law_2013\"><\/span>Justice J.S. Verma Committee Report on Amendments to Criminal Law, 2013<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This report presented a significant change from the previous two reports by the Law Commission asit addressed the need to criminalize Marital Rape in a comprehensive manner. To start with, it acknowledged the fact that the act emanates from an archaic notion of women being a property of their husbands. Further, addressing the Doctrine of coverture and Lord Hales declaration, it stated that the immunity with respect to non-consensual intercourse by a husband on her wife has been abolished in many jurisdictions. The report also shed light on the observations of the House of Lords in England where it said in a 1991 judgment that the status of women has changed beyond recognition since the eighteenth century when Lord Hale made his declaration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It dwelled further on Lord Keiths comments in the same case where he, speaking for the Court, said that marriage is in modern times regarded as a partnership of equals and the notion of subservience of wife to her husband is an outdated concept. The report further substantiated its argument by looking at the European Commission of Human Rights judgment in the case of C.R. v. UK wherein it was held that a rapist remains a rapist regardless of the relationship with the victim5. The Court in its judgment acknowledged that its opinion was in consonance with the European Convention of Human Rights, \u201cthe essence of which was respect for human rights, dignity and freedom\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"key-takeaways-2013\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Takeaways-2\"><\/span>Key Takeaways<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Recognized marital rape as a violation of human dignity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rejected outdated doctrine of coverture<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Highlighted global legal developments<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Emphasized equality in marriage<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"parliamentary-standing-committee-2012\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"167th_Report_of_the_Parliamentary_Standing_Committee_on_The_Criminal_Law_Amendment_Bill_2012\"><\/span>167th Report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on The Criminal Law Amendment Bill, 2012<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This report also witnessed a divergent opinion amongst its members on the issue of marital rape. Some members were of the opinion that there should be a room for the wife to take up the issue of Marital Rape, and they were further of the opinion that consent in marriage cannot be a consent forever. However, the other members opined that penalizing marital rape had the potential of ruining the entire institution of marriage and putting the family system under great stress. They believed such non-consensual sexual intercourse can be dealt under the heading of Cruelty under section 498A of the IPC (in present Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 Section 85, 86) and other statutes such as the Domestic Violence Act, 2005.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"comparison-table\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Divergent_Views_Summary\"><\/span>Divergent Views Summary<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Support Criminalization<\/th><th>Oppose Criminalization<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Consent in marriage is not permanent<\/td><td>May damage institution of marriage<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Provides legal remedy to wives<\/td><td>Existing laws (498A IPC, DV Act) sufficient<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"parliamentary-discussions\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Parliamentary_Discussions\"><\/span>Parliamentary Discussions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Discussions in the Parliament regarding marital rape have been negligible to say the least. It was not until 2015 that the topic was first breached in the Rajya Sabha by Mrs. K Kanimozhi, a Member of Parliament (MP) from Tamil Nadu. The MP raised a question to the Minister of State for Home Affairs Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary as to whether the government would amend the marital rape exception under section 375 of the IPC (in present Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 Section 63) in light of the recommendations made by the United Nations. In his reply, the Minister said that the concept of marital rape cannot be applied to India due to myriad of factors such as low levels of education, poverty, customs, values, societal mindsets like treating marriage as a sacrament etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Further, he also said that even though criminalization was recommended by the United Nations Committee on Elimination of Discrimination against Women, but since it was not recommended by the Law Commission of India, the government did not intend to bring about an amendment to the IPC. Further, in the year 2018, the Lok Sabha MP from Thiruvananthapuram, Mr. Shashi Tharoor introduced a Private Members bill in the Lok Sabha titled Womens Sexual, Reproductive and Menstrual Rights Bill 2018 which proposed the abolition of exception 2 to section 375 of IPC (in present Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 Section 63) and to insert a proviso to explanation 2 of section 375 in the following words:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Provided that the women&#8217;s ethnicity, religion, caste, education, profession, clothing preference, entertainment preference, social circle, personal opinion, past sexual conduct or any other related grounds shall not be a reason to presume her consent to the sexual activity.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The Bill however, did not exceed the phase of initial discussion and has been left pending in the Parliament ever since, which does not appear to be surprising, considering the recommendation of the 167th Parliamentary Standing Committee Report and later the reply by the Minister of State for Home Affairs. However, it indicates that given the extremely sensitive nature of the topic, the parliamentarians are not comfortable discussing the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"key-points-parliament\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Points\"><\/span>Key Points<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Minimal parliamentary debate on marital rape<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Government cited socio-cultural factors for non-criminalization<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Private Member Bill introduced but not passed<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Issue remains politically sensitive<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"law-commission-report-2000\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_172nd_Law_Commission_Report_2000-2\"><\/span>The 172nd Law Commission Report, 2000<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It was under this report that for the first time the question of marital rape was directly put to the Law Commission. It was argued by the opponents of marital rape exception that when other facets of marital relationship have been dealt under the Criminal Law, then why non- consensual sexual intercourse forced by a husband upon his wife cant be dealt under it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The proponents of the abovementioned exception though rejected the argument on the basis that it would lead to excessive interference with the institution of marriage4. This report shed light on the reluctance of the legislature and the intelligesia to criminalize the act of rape considering Hindu marriage as a sacrament not just according to the law but also according to religion and they feared that such a provision may put the institution altogether in danger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"key-takeaways-2000\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Takeaways-3\"><\/span>Key Takeaways<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>First formal discussion of marital rape in Law Commission<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Conflict between criminal law and marital institution<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Marriage viewed as a sacrament influencing legal reluctance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"justice-verma-report-2013\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Justice_JS_Verma_Committee_Report_on_Amendments_to_Criminal_Law_2013-2\"><\/span>Justice J.S. Verma Committee Report on Amendments to Criminal Law, 2013<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This report presented a significant change from the previous two reports by the Law Commission asit addressed the need to criminalize Marital Rape in a comprehensive manner. To start with, it acknowledged the fact that the act emanates from an archaic notion of women being a property of their husbands. Further, addressing the Doctrine of coverture and Lord Hales declaration, it stated that the immunity with respect to non-consensual intercourse by a husband on her wife has been abolished in many jurisdictions. The report also shed light on the observations of the House of Lords in England where it said in a 1991 judgment that the status of women has changed beyond recognition since the eighteenth century when Lord Hale made his declaration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It dwelled further on Lord Keiths comments in the same case where he, speaking for the Court, said that marriage is in modern times regarded as a partnership of equals and the notion of subservience of wife to her husband is an outdated concept. The report further substantiated its argument by looking at the European Commission of Human Rights judgment in the case of C.R. v. UK wherein it was held that a rapist remains a rapist regardless of the relationship with the victim5. The Court in its judgment acknowledged that its opinion was in consonance with the European Convention of Human Rights, \u201cthe essence of which was respect for human rights, dignity and freedom\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"key-takeaways-2013\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Takeaways-4\"><\/span>Key Takeaways<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Recognized marital rape as a violation of human dignity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rejected outdated doctrine of coverture<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Highlighted global legal developments<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Emphasized equality in marriage<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"parliamentary-standing-committee-2012\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"167th_Report_of_the_Parliamentary_Standing_Committee_on_The_Criminal_Law_Amendment_Bill_2012-2\"><\/span>167th Report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on The Criminal Law Amendment Bill, 2012<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This report also witnessed a divergent opinion amongst its members on the issue of marital rape. Some members were of the opinion that there should be a room for the wife to take up the issue of Marital Rape, and they were further of the opinion that consent in marriage cannot be a consent forever. However, the other members opined that penalizing marital rape had the potential of ruining the entire institution of marriage and putting the family system under great stress. They believed such non-consensual sexual intercourse can be dealt under the heading of Cruelty under section 498A of the IPC (in present Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 Section 85, 86) and other statutes such as the Domestic Violence Act, 2005.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"comparison-table\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Divergent_Views_Summary-2\"><\/span>Divergent Views Summary<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Support Criminalization<\/th><th>Oppose Criminalization<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Consent in marriage is not permanent<\/td><td>May damage institution of marriage<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Provides legal remedy to wives<\/td><td>Existing laws (498A IPC, DV Act) sufficient<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"parliamentary-discussions\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Parliamentary_Discussions-2\"><\/span>Parliamentary Discussions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Discussions in the Parliament regarding marital rape have been negligible to say the least. It was not until 2015 that the topic was first breached in the Rajya Sabha by Mrs. K Kanimozhi, a Member of Parliament (MP) from Tamil Nadu. The MP raised a question to the Minister of State for Home Affairs Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary as to whether the government would amend the marital rape exception under section 375 of the IPC (in present Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 Section 63) in light of the recommendations made by the United Nations. In his reply, the Minister said that the concept of marital rape cannot be applied to India due to myriad of factors such as low levels of education, poverty, customs, values, societal mindsets like treating marriage as a sacrament etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Further, he also said that even though criminalization was recommended by the United Nations Committee on Elimination of Discrimination against Women, but since it was not recommended by the Law Commission of India, the government did not intend to bring about an amendment to the IPC. Further, in the year 2018, the Lok Sabha MP from Thiruvananthapuram, Mr. Shashi Tharoor introduced a Private Members bill in the Lok Sabha titled Womens Sexual, Reproductive and Menstrual Rights Bill 2018 which proposed the abolition of exception 2 to section 375 of IPC (in present Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 Section 63) and to insert a proviso to explanation 2 of section 375 in the following words:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Provided that the women&#8217;s ethnicity, religion, caste, education, profession, clothing preference, entertainment preference, social circle, personal opinion, past sexual conduct or any other related grounds shall not be a reason to presume her consent to the sexual activity.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The Bill however, did not exceed the phase of initial discussion and has been left pending in the Parliament ever since, which does not appear to be surprising, considering the recommendation of the 167th Parliamentary Standing Committee Report and later the reply by the Minister of State for Home Affairs. However, it indicates that given the extremely sensitive nature of the topic, the parliamentarians are not comfortable discussing the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"key-points-parliament\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Points-2\"><\/span>Key Points<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Minimal parliamentary debate on marital rape<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Government cited socio-cultural factors for non-criminalization<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Private Member Bill introduced but not passed<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Issue remains politically sensitive<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"constitutional-law\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Constitutional_Law\"><\/span>Constitutional Law<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"article-14\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Article_14\"><\/span>Article 14<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Married women, exactly like men and unmarried women need protection of the law in their private spheres. While the rest of the Section 375 of the IPC (in present Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 Section 63) is interested in protecting the right of a victim from the crime of rape, such a right is withdrawn on marriage and the focus of the law instead shifts to protecting, the perpetrator of the crime of rape. It deprives her of bodily autonomy and her personhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The classification is unnecessary<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Unintelligible<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Violates the mandate of Article 14<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Withdrawing the protection of Section 375 of the IPC (BNS 2023 Section 63) from the victims of the crime of rape solely on the basis of their marital status is irrelevant for the purposes of legislation and thus violates the test of classification under Article 14.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"article-21\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Article_21\"><\/span>Article 21<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"right-to-live-with-human-dignity\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Right_To_Live_With_Human_Dignity\"><\/span>Right To Live With Human Dignity<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>In Bhodhisathwa Gautam v. Subhra Chakraborthy6, the Supreme Court held that rape is a crime against basic human rights and is also violative of victim\u2019s most cherished of the fundamental right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A married woman too has the right to live in human dignity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Right to privacy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rights over her own body<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Marriage can in no way take away these rights. Thus, the MRE (Marital Rape Exception) is unconstitutional as it denies the psychological and physical integrity of the married woman and deny them of having equal worth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"right-to-sexual-privacy\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Right_To_Sexual_Privacy\"><\/span>Right To Sexual Privacy<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>In Justice K.S Puttaswamy v. Union of India7 the Supreme Court held the right to privacy as a fundamental right and includes decisional privacy reflected by an ability to make intimate decisions primarily consisting of one\u2019s sexual or procreative nature and decisions in respect of intimate relations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, the Supreme Court in the case of State of Maharashtra v. Madhkar Narayan8 has held that every woman was entitled to sexual privacy, and it was not open to for any and every person to violate her privacy as an when he wished or pleased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Any form of forced sexual intercourse violates right to privacy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The MRE is unconstitutional<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It forces her to enter into a sexual relationship without her consent<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"right-to-good-health\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Right_To_Good_Health\"><\/span>Right To Good Health<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>It destroys the psychology of a woman and pushes her into a deep emotional crisis as she has to live with the rapist day and night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Forceful sexual acts are often accompanied with physical assault<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Deprives a married woman of her right to good health<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The marital exemption doctrine effectively deprives a married woman of her right to good health and is hence, unconstitutional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"criminal-law\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Criminal_Law\"><\/span>Criminal Law<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The longstanding demand by the feminist group for criminalising marital rape has founded strong ground with the recent changes in criminal law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"types-of-marital-rape\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Types_Of_Marital_Rape_Under_Law\"><\/span>Types Of Marital Rape Under Law<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Provision<\/th><th>Description<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Section 375 Exception II IPC (BNS 2023 Section 63)<\/td><td>Sexual intercourse with wife below 15 years (now 18 years) amounts to rape<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Section 376-A IPC (BNS 2023 Section 64)<\/td><td>Applies only to judicially separated wives<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Section 376 A Indian Penal Code, 1860 (in present Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 Section 64) does not challenge Lord Hale\u2019s assumption that, the husband cannot commit rape on his lawful wife. Section 376 A simply recognizes that the act of judicial separation revokes this concept.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Applies only to judicially separated wives<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lower punishment compared to other rape offences<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reflects patriarchal character of criminal law<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>It is clear from the exception to Section 375 read with Section 376-A, Indian Penal Code, 1860 that a man cannot be guilty of rape on his own wife when she is above the age of 18 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On account of the matrimonial consent, she has given at the time of marriage which she cannot retract unless:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The parties are judicially separated<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Separated under any custom or usage<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Court injunction forbids the husband<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"landmark-judgments\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Landmark_Judgments\"><\/span>Landmark Judgments<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"independent-thought-case\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Independent_Thought_v_Union_of_India\"><\/span>Independent Thought v. Union of India<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The Hon\u2019ble Supreme Court of India opined that Exception 2 to Section 375 IPC (in present Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 Section 63) in so far as it relates to a girl child below 18 years is liable to be struck down on the grounds that it violates Article 14, 15 and 21.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Therefore, Exception 2 to Section 375 IPC is read down as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>&#8220;Sexual intercourse or sexual acts by a man with his own wife, the wife not being 18 years, is not rape&#8221;.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Though it was made clear that the judgment will have prospective effect and not address marital rape broadly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Recognised that rape within marriage is not a conceptual impossibility<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Marriage is \u201cpersonal\u201d and not \u201cinstitutional\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rights and autonomy must be protected<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Even if religious sanctity is in question, it cannot be protected at the cost of constitutional rights like equality, dignity, liberty and autonomy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"navtej-singh-johar-case\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Navtej_Singh_Johar_v_Union_of_India\"><\/span>Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The Court read down Section 377 IPC, decriminalising same-sex relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"joseph-shine-case\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Joseph_Shine_v_Union_of_India\"><\/span>Joseph Shine v. Union of India<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Decriminalised adultery and denounced subordination of married women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Highlighted patriarchal legal structures<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Recognised lack of agency of women<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Exposed inequality in marital laws<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In marital rape, the law historically treated women as property of the husband. Therefore, rape within marriage was not recognised as an offence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, marital rape represents:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Physical and sexual violation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Betrayal of trust<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These judgments strengthen constitutional values of equality, dignity, autonomy and self-expression, paving the way for criminalisation of marital rape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"domestic-violence-act\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Protection_Of_Women_From_Domestic_Violence_Act_2005\"><\/span>The Protection Of Women From Domestic Violence Act, 2005<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2005, the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 was passed which considers marital rape as a form of domestic violence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Provides civil remedies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Allows judicial separation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Does not criminalize marital rape<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 has only created a civil remedy for marital rape, without criminalizing the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"kinds-of-marital-rape\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Kinds_Of_Marital_Rape\"><\/span>Kinds Of Marital Rape<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Marital rape is generally sub-divided into three categories: those rapes which involve a degree of violence, those that use enough force to control the victim, known as &#8216;force-only&#8217; rapes, and sadistic rapes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"violent-rape\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Violent_Rape\"><\/span>Violent Rape<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Violent rape occurs, as the name suggests, when the abuser uses enough physical violence to cause injury to the victim, apart from any injuries due to the rape itself, i.e. injuries to the genital area or breasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Examples would include the husband punching his wife or injuring her with a knife &#8211; the rape being part of a violent assault, or the violence being a part of the rape.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Many abusers will also force their wives to submit to sexual acts after a physical assault, either to prove her forgiveness or to further intimidate and humiliate her.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If the wife should refuse such an act, even the threat of further violence (or a previous experience!) will soon ensure her compliance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Battering rapes in which the husband rapes and simultaneously batters his wife also comes within this ambit.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"force-only-rape\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%98Force-Only_Rape\"><\/span>&#8216;Force-Only&#8217; Rape<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8216;Force-only&#8217; rape is usually understood to include only enough force used on the part of the abuser to control or hold his wife in position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>E.g. holding down the victim by her arms or wrists to prevent her defending herself or escaping.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This form of rape is common where there is a larger contrast between the physical size and strength of abuser and victim.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is also seen in abusive relationships where physical violence is infrequent or non-existent (in so far as one does not categories sexual assault itself as a violent act).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In most cases of &#8216;force-only&#8217; rape, coercion plays a large part.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The victim may also be so confused and numbed by constant emotional abuse, that she simply does not know how to act or react when sex is forced on her.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"sadistic-rape\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sadistic_Rape\"><\/span>Sadistic Rape<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Sadistic rape is sometimes also present. This tends to indicate that in addition to the rape itself, the victim is either forced to comply with or undergo deeds designed to further humiliate her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Examples of this would be the abuser\/rapist urinating on the victim, acting out a fantasy of torturer, or using other object during a rape.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sadistic rape may or may not involve further violence.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Some people consider buggery as a sadistic form of rape, since its effect on victim is often particularly humiliating.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pornography is frequently involved in this kind of rape.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is also known as Obsessive rape.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"anger-rape\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Anger_Rapes\"><\/span>Anger Rapes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Anger rapes, which are committed primarily to express hostility to women, to retaliate against them and to hurt them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In this type of rape, the husband will degrade the victim\/wife as much as possible.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>He may force her to commit other sexual acts which are particularly degrading, such as sodomy or fellatio, meaning bestiality.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"power-rape\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Power_Rapes\"><\/span>Power Rapes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Power rapes are committed to assert dominance and control over women. It is not really the intention of the husband to harm; he just wants to assert his control over her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The rape reflects a kind of sexual conquest, which in a normal healthy relationship is not necessary.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>But in this case, the husband needs it due to his own feelings of inadequacy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>That is why, when a wife with passage of time become more assertive, indignant or rebellious, this kind of rape is more likely to happen.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"summary-table\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Summary_Table\"><\/span>Summary Table<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Type<\/th><th>Key Characteristics<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Violent Rape<\/td><td>Involves physical violence causing injury beyond sexual assault<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>&#8216;Force-Only&#8217; Rape<\/td><td>Uses minimal force to control or restrain the victim<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Sadistic Rape<\/td><td>Includes humiliating or degrading acts alongside rape<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Anger Rapes<\/td><td>Driven by hostility and intent to degrade or harm<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Power Rapes<\/td><td>Aimed at asserting dominance and control<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"legal-position-of-marital-rape-in-other-countries\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Legal_Position_Of_Marital_Rape_In_Other_Countries\"><\/span>Legal Position Of Marital Rape In Other Countries<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>According to UN Womens 2011 Progress of the Worlds Women: In Pursuit of Justice report, marital rape is a criminal offence in about 52 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Mauritius, Thailand and neighbouring Bhutan. The report said 127 countries did not explicitly criminalise rape within marriage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"country-wise-legal-framework\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Country-Wise_Legal_Framework\"><\/span>Country-Wise Legal Framework<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Country<\/th><th>Legal Position<\/th><th>Key Provisions<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Germany<\/td><td>No distinction between marital and non-marital rape<\/td><td>Section 177: Punishment ranges from 1 to 15 years imprisonment<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>United Kingdom<\/td><td>Recognised after R v R judgment<\/td><td>Marriage is a partnership of equals<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>France<\/td><td>Marital rape is illegal<\/td><td>Article 222-23: Punishable with 15 years imprisonment<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Bhutan<\/td><td>Recognised as rape<\/td><td>Section 180: Fourth degree felony + GAO penalty<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"german-law-on-marital-rape\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"German_Law_On_Marital_Rape\"><\/span>German Law On Marital Rape<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The German Criminal Code makes no differentiation between rape and\/or sexual assault in the context of two (or more) unmarried persons, and rape and\/or sexual assault within the context of a marriage (i.e. marital rape).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Section 177, subsection 1: Sexual assault is punished with at least one year and up to fifteen years of imprisonment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Section 177, subsection 2: In cases involving multiple offenders or rape, imprisonment is not less than two years.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rape is defined as any penetration of the victims body.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"uk-law-on-marital-rape\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"UK_Law_On_Marital_Rape\"><\/span>U.K. Law On Marital Rape<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For the past 225 years the criminal law and criminal justice system in England have not recognised the existence of wife rape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This situation was continued up till decision of House of Lords, in R v R. The House of Lords, in R v R, emphassised that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cthe status of women, and particularly married women, has changed out of all recognition in various ways which are very familiar and upon which it is necessary to go in to detail. Apart from property matters and the availability of matrimonial remedies, one of the most important changes in that marriage is in modern times regarded as a partnership of equals, and no longer one in which the wife must be the subservient chattel of the husband.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"french-law-on-marital-rape\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"French_Law_On_Marital_Rape\"><\/span>French Law On Marital Rape<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In France marital rape is known as spousal rape. Rape, including spousal rape, is illegal in France.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Article 222-23 of the French Code Penal defines rape as:<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cAny act of sexual penetration, whatever its nature, committed against another person by violence, constraint, threat or surprise.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Punishment: Fifteen years criminal imprisonment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"bhutan-law-on-marital-rape\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bhutan_Law_On_Marital_Rape\"><\/span>Bhutan Law On Marital Rape<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Section 180 prescribes for grading of rape of married person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u201cThe offence of rape of a married person shall be a felony of fourth degree.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Liability includes payment of \u201cGAO\u201d in accordance with other laws.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Any form of rape, including spousal rape, is treated as rape.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"supreme-court-of-india-on-marital-rape\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Supreme_Court_Of_India_On_Marital_Rape\"><\/span>Supreme Court Of India On Marital Rape<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In February 2015, the Supreme Court refused to entertain a womans plea to declare marital rape a criminal offence, saying it wasnt possible to order a change in the law for one person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You are espousing a personal cause and not a public cause. This is an individual case, said the bench of Justice A.R. Dave and Justice R. Banumathi.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The woman challenged Exception to Section 375 IPC (now Section 63 of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The exception states that sexual intercourse by a man with his wife (15 years or above) is not rape even without consent.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The plea argued violation of fundamental rights to life and liberty.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Court held that the issue is for the legislature to decide.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"united-nations-stand-on-marital-rape\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"United_Nations_Stand_On_Marital_Rape\"><\/span>United Nations Stand On Marital Rape<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW Committee) criticized India for failing to address human rights violations linked to child marriage and maternal mortality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Urged India to amend Criminal Law (Amendment) Act.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Recommended criminalising marital rape.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Suggested expanding definition of rape.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Emphasised need for better protection of women and girls.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cWe urge the government of India to take these recommendations seriously and more effectively implement policies that will vastly improve the lives and health of girls and women.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"recognising-marital-rape-as-offence-issues-and-concerns-in-india\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Recognising_Marital_Rape_As_Offence-_Issues_And_Concerns_In_India\"><\/span>Recognising Marital Rape As Offence- Issues And Concerns In India<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The reality of marital rape is unquestionable in India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>According to National Family Health Survey 5 (2019-21):<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>83% of married women experiencing sexual violence reported current husband as perpetrator.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>13% reported former husband.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Most perpetrators are individuals in intimate relationships with victims.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"patriarchal-society\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Patriarchal_Society\"><\/span>Patriarchal Society<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Marriage in a patriarchal Indian society is more about the assertion of masculinity rather than a partnership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This imbalance is supported by law, religion and society.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Indian legal system influenced by 18th century English laws.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Social norms portray men as dominant and women as submissive.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The social and cultural norms imagine a man to conquer and colonize while a woman is expected to receive, surrender and accept.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"implied-consent-theory\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Implied_Consent_Theory\"><\/span>Implied Consent Theory<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The law of rape served as the legal framework for protecting these essentially property interests of the dominant male. The woman, or more specifically, her sexuality became the object to be protected by rape law. Rape laws did not emanate from the dignity of the victim but the social value attributed to her sexual status, given that her sexuality was required to be protected as any other form of property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A husband was not deemed to be capable of raping his own wife, as her chastity or fidelity was his to own. A husband raping his wife became an incongruous proposition as he was making use of his own property. The proprietary interest of the husband, therefore, could only be diminished by another and not by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Far more widely accepted is the theory of implied consent, which proceeds by considering marriage as a social contract, in which the woman willingly submits her autonomy in exchange for protection. This theory features most prominently in the writings of Hale, who established the notion that such consent, once given, is irrevocable and complete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Marriage treated as a social contract<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consent considered irrevocable<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wife\u2019s autonomy subordinated<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The wifes subjugation was therefore considered a prerequisite to the marriage contract, and the primary marker of the husbands role within the marital relation, his right over her body. The theory of implied consent suffers from several inconsistencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"doctrine-of-coverture\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Doctrine_Of_Coverture\"><\/span>Doctrine Of Coverture<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The first of these premises is based upon the origins of the crime of rape. In the ancient times, rape was considered as a crime against property rather than as a crime against person. The reason for this stemmed from the belief that women were chattel and men had a property interest in their wives and daughters sexuality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Therefore, the original purpose of the rape statutes was to protect mens property rather than to protect women from unwanted intrusions of their bodies15. Marriage was seen as a coalition of the identity of the woman with her husband and the two were united into one single entity also known as Doctrine of Coverture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><th>Concept<\/th><th>Explanation<\/th><\/tr><tr><td>Crime Nature<\/td><td>Crime against property, not person<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Women\u2019s Status<\/td><td>Considered chattel<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Marriage Concept<\/td><td>Single legal identity (Doctrine of Coverture)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This made it physically impossible to commit rape within marriage because a man could not possibly rape himself. Thus, it can be seen that the exemption from marital rape is a historically justified sin and the irony of the situation is that its justification was given by an eminent jurist, Sir Matthew Hale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, Hales quotation became the law through centuries of judicial repetition. Common law which was a gift to India from their colonizers continued even after their departure and it is the consequence of this colonial legacy that marital rape has not been criminalized by the Indian legal system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"gender-discrimination-issues\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Gender_Discrimination_Issues\"><\/span>Gender Discrimination Issues<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In these theories, as with all other traditional legal justifications for continuing with the MRE, the ability to determine the time and nature of such sexual encounters is completely handed over to one party within the marital relationship, which negates the proposition of marriage as a union between equals making it a case of gender discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Unequal power dynamics in marriage<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Violation of equality principle<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Control concentrated in one partner<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>It has been argued that the gender-neutral language within the statutes could remedy this anomaly, in which case the wife should enjoy the same immunity as the husband. However, the idea of formal equality in this context is purely utopian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since the purpose of removing the MRE is to undo the violations faced by married women, rather than to provide legal immunity to such married women as may be guilty of the same conduct in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Extending immunity by couching it in gender neutral language, while having the flavour of non-discrimination about it, is an attempt to distract from, rather than remedy the problem. It also glosses over the fact that in almost all claims of marital rape, the victim is the woman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"exemption-under-ipc\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Exemption_Under_IPC\"><\/span>Exemption Under IPC<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The other, more general concern is that the removal of the exemption may prompt its misuse, which could lead to a spate of false claims against husbands16. This issue, commonly referred to as the Vindictive Wife\/Innocent Husband problem, has been central to the debate on both domestic violence legislation and ordinary criminal statutes in India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><th>Concern<\/th><th>Description<\/th><\/tr><tr><td>Misuse Risk<\/td><td>Possibility of false allegations<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Legal Burden<\/td><td>Shifts to husband and family<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Custody Issue<\/td><td>Immediate arrest upon complaint<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Provisions in these laws impose strict liability on the husband and his family for any mental or physical agony the wife has to face at their hands. Upon a formal complaint of violence or cruelty by the wife, the burden of proof shifts to the husband and his family, rather than the accuser, thereby ensuring that the husband is taken in custody while the veracity of the claim remains to be established upon investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"applicability-of-mandatory-factor\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Applicability_Of_Mandatory_Factor\"><\/span>Applicability Of Mandatory Factor<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Justification against criminalizing marital rape point out to the existing law of Protection of Women against Domestic Violence Act, 2005 and Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, which could be used for prosecuting the guilty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Domestic Violence Act, 2005<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Section 498A IPC<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Forensic evidence concerns<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Other arguments state lack of effective forensic evidence to testify rape. However, a timely medical examination can differentiate between consensual and forced intercourse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The nature of this crime is such that the wifes testimony is the only proof. Which means the husbands past violent abusive conduct towards wife will be relevant while determining whether the husband has committed rape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It need not be mandatory factor but can work as a contributory factor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"implied-consent-theory\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Implied_Consent_Theory-2\"><\/span>Implied Consent Theory<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The law of rape served as the legal framework for protecting these essentially property interests of the dominant male. The woman, or more specifically, her sexuality became the object to be protected by rape law. Rape laws did not emanate from the dignity of the victim but the social value attributed to her sexual status, given that her sexuality was required to be protected as any other form of property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A husband was not deemed to be capable of raping his own wife, as her chastity or fidelity was his to own. A husband raping his wife became an incongruous proposition as he was making use of his own property. The proprietary interest of the husband, therefore, could only be diminished by another and not by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Far more widely accepted is the theory of implied consent, which proceeds by considering marriage as a social contract, in which the woman willingly submits her autonomy in exchange for protection. This theory features most prominently in the writings of Hale, who established the notion that such consent, once given, is irrevocable and complete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Marriage treated as a social contract<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consent considered irrevocable<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wife\u2019s autonomy subordinated<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The wifes subjugation was therefore considered a prerequisite to the marriage contract, and the primary marker of the husbands role within the marital relation, his right over her body. The theory of implied consent suffers from several inconsistencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"doctrine-of-coverture\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Doctrine_Of_Coverture-2\"><\/span>Doctrine Of Coverture<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The first of these premises is based upon the origins of the crime of rape. In the ancient times, rape was considered as a crime against property rather than as a crime against person. The reason for this stemmed from the belief that women were chattel and men had a property interest in their wives and daughters sexuality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Therefore, the original purpose of the rape statutes was to protect mens property rather than to protect women from unwanted intrusions of their bodies15. Marriage was seen as a coalition of the identity of the woman with her husband and the two were united into one single entity also known as Doctrine of Coverture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><th>Concept<\/th><th>Explanation<\/th><\/tr><tr><td>Crime Nature<\/td><td>Crime against property, not person<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Women\u2019s Status<\/td><td>Considered chattel<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Marriage Concept<\/td><td>Single legal identity (Doctrine of Coverture)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This made it physically impossible to commit rape within marriage because a man could not possibly rape himself. Thus, it can be seen that the exemption from marital rape is a historically justified sin and the irony of the situation is that its justification was given by an eminent jurist, Sir Matthew Hale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, Hales quotation became the law through centuries of judicial repetition. Common law which was a gift to India from their colonizers continued even after their departure and it is the consequence of this colonial legacy that marital rape has not been criminalized by the Indian legal system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"gender-discrimination-issues\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Gender_Discrimination_Issues-2\"><\/span>Gender Discrimination Issues<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In these theories, as with all other traditional legal justifications for continuing with the MRE, the ability to determine the time and nature of such sexual encounters is completely handed over to one party within the marital relationship, which negates the proposition of marriage as a union between equals making it a case of gender discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Unequal power dynamics in marriage<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Violation of equality principle<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Control concentrated in one partner<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>It has been argued that the gender-neutral language within the statutes could remedy this anomaly, in which case the wife should enjoy the same immunity as the husband. However, the idea of formal equality in this context is purely utopian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since the purpose of removing the MRE is to undo the violations faced by married women, rather than to provide legal immunity to such married women as may be guilty of the same conduct in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Extending immunity by couching it in gender neutral language, while having the flavour of non-discrimination about it, is an attempt to distract from, rather than remedy the problem. It also glosses over the fact that in almost all claims of marital rape, the victim is the woman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"exemption-under-ipc\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Exemption_Under_IPC-2\"><\/span>Exemption Under IPC<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The other, more general concern is that the removal of the exemption may prompt its misuse, which could lead to a spate of false claims against husbands16. This issue, commonly referred to as the Vindictive Wife\/Innocent Husband problem, has been central to the debate on both domestic violence legislation and ordinary criminal statutes in India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><th>Concern<\/th><th>Description<\/th><\/tr><tr><td>Misuse Risk<\/td><td>Possibility of false allegations<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Legal Burden<\/td><td>Shifts to husband and family<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Custody Issue<\/td><td>Immediate arrest upon complaint<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Provisions in these laws impose strict liability on the husband and his family for any mental or physical agony the wife has to face at their hands. Upon a formal complaint of violence or cruelty by the wife, the burden of proof shifts to the husband and his family, rather than the accuser, thereby ensuring that the husband is taken in custody while the veracity of the claim remains to be established upon investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"applicability-of-mandatory-factor\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Applicability_Of_Mandatory_Factor-2\"><\/span>Applicability Of Mandatory Factor<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Justification against criminalizing marital rape point out to the existing law of Protection of Women against Domestic Violence Act, 2005 and Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, which could be used for prosecuting the guilty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Domestic Violence Act, 2005<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Section 498A IPC<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Forensic evidence concerns<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Other arguments state lack of effective forensic evidence to testify rape. However, a timely medical examination can differentiate between consensual and forced intercourse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The nature of this crime is such that the wifes testimony is the only proof. Which means the husbands past violent abusive conduct towards wife will be relevant while determining whether the husband has committed rape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It need not be mandatory factor but can work as a contributory factor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"suggestions-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Suggestions\"><\/span>Suggestions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>After introspecting the different legal aspects to recognise marital rape as a crime, the researcher proposes some suggestion to bring about changes in the socio-legal system:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Gender sensitization programmes should be organised to bring awareness about the issue of marital rape so as to eradicate deep seated cultural value and traditions that perpetuate discrimination.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Educating both men and women to embrace the concept of consent within marital relation, so that they can acknowledge the concept of bodily integrity and privacy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Assistance of counsellor should be provided to the complainants of marital rape and their family members so that they can deal with the situation positively.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Special training programmes should be conducted for the members of the Bar and the Bench, to build awareness and to help develop conducive attitudes for the victims of marital rape.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"suggestions-summary-table\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Suggestions_Summary_Table\"><\/span>Suggestions Summary Table<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Area<\/th><th>Proposed Measure<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Awareness<\/td><td>Gender sensitization programmes to address cultural norms<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Education<\/td><td>Promoting understanding of consent, bodily integrity, and privacy<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Support System<\/td><td>Counselling assistance for victims and their families<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Legal Training<\/td><td>Special programmes for Bar and Bench to build sensitivity<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"conclusion-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The debate on this archaic law is endless and the grounds for its removal clear. Based on the public perception and legal ambiguity the only question that remains is how far the expression of judicial opinion alters prevalent social conditions. If consent is used to waive bodily autonomy within marriage, it should apply equally to all cases where bodily autonomy is undermined. If consent is used to waive only sexual autonomy but preserve the other aspects of bodily autonomy, this again elevates the sexual aspect of marriage over all else, which, as argued above, is inconsistent with the contemporary understanding of marriage as an equal partnership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Recently in the case the Supreme Court expanded the definition of rape to marital rape for the MTP Act. Though marital rape is still not criminalised, then how in a society where marital rape is not even a moral offence, can a woman convince doctors to terminate her pregnancy. The injustice and inhumanity which has perpetrated in society, criminal law must interfere and impose the stamp of criminality to unlawful acts that occur, irrespective of the fact as to whether such recognition bears the desired fruits. We have to remember and remind our self that the culture and tradition of India emphasizes on strength not abuse, equality, not power and control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"key-takeaways\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Takeaways-5\"><\/span>Key Takeaways<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Legal reform is necessary to address marital rape effectively.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Judicial interpretation alone may not transform social realities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consent must be uniformly applied to uphold bodily autonomy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Criminal law intervention is essential to address injustice.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bibliography\"><\/span>Bibliography<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u201cA Natural History of \u201d Google Books. URL: https:\/\/books.google.com<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mandal, \u201cThe Impossibility of Marital Rape.\u201d Australian Feminist Studies, 29, no. 81, 2014, pp. 255\u201372.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A Pillai &#8211; Criminal Law<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rega Surya Rao &#8211; Indian Penal Code<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Commentary on the Indian Penal Code &#8211; D. Gaur<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Indian Penal Code, 1860 &#8211; The Code of Criminal \u2013 LexisNexis<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The International Men and Gender Equality Survey<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The United Nations Population Fund Survey<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Conducted by the Joint Women\u2019s Programme, an NGO, New Delhi<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nigam, Shalu. 2015. \u201cThe Social and Legal Paradox Relating to Marital Rape in India: Addressing Structural Inequalities.\u201d SSRN Electronic Journal. URL: https:\/\/papers.ssrn.com<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pandey, P. K. Marital Rape in India &#8211; Needs Legal Recognition. July 2013.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>SAGE Books &#8211; Family Violence: Prevention and Treatment. Accessed 12 June 2018. URL: https:\/\/sk.sagepub.com<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Introduction Of the all sections of the society, it\u2019s women who have undergone a lot of humiliation and degradation in a male-dominated society. The Indian women have come a long way from women sages and scholars in Rig Vedic period to the women of today. This journey towards modernization was not easy as they had<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1368,"featured_media":21864,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"two_page_speed":[],"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[4798,28],"class_list":{"0":"post-21865","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-criminal-law","8":"tag-criminal-law","9":"tag-top-news"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1-2.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21865","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1368"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21865"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21865\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21925,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21865\/revisions\/21925"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21864"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21865"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21865"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21865"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}