agencies / NEW DELHI
The Supreme Court today termed as absolutely illegal any attack by khap panchayats or associations against an adult man and woman opting for inter-caste marriage.
A bench, headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, said if an adult man and woman marry, no khap, panchayat, individual or society can question them.
It asked the Centre to give its response on suggestions earlier given by amicus curiae Raju Ramachandran on ways to prevent harassment and killing of young couples in the name of family honour for marrying inter-caste or intra-clan.
The court asked the government to control such attacks, saying if the Centre does not act towards banning Khap Panchayats, the court will step in. The bench listed the matter for further hearing on the 5th of next month.
The court had earlier sought suggestions from an NGO ‘Shakti Vahini’, amicus curiae and ‘Khap Panchayats’ on the issue.
The NGO had moved the top court in 2010 seeking directions to the central and state governments to prevent and control honour crimes by taking a number of measures.