Scuttling marriage between consenting adults is illegal: Supreme Court rules on Khap Panchayats

The Supreme Court, in its landmark ruling, called Khap Panchayats intervention in marriages illegal. The apex court stated that any assembly which is intended to scuttle a marriage between two consenting adults would be illegal.

The Supreme Court today disposed of the petition filed by an NGO against Khap Panchayats. 

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 A bench headed by Chief Justice Misra sought measures against interference of Khap Panchayats in marriages. 

The Khaps, present largely in rural areas of north India, act as self-proclaimed quasi-judicial bodies. Khap Panchayats came under the scanner after reports of honour killings surfaced.

Haryana sentenced five people to death and one person to life-imprisonment in 2007 for killing a couple on the orders of a self-styled Khap Panchayat.