The Supreme Court on Tuesday (March 27) declared Khap Panchayat’s view of honour killing for the marriage between two adults unconstitutional. The apex court also said that honour killing shall be violative of the principles of criminal law until the Centre drafts a law on honour killing.

The bench comprising of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A M Khanwilkar and Justice D Y Chandrachud was acting on the plea filed by NGO Shakti Vahini seeking apex court interference to restrain the phenomenon of honour killing and contravention of human rights by Khap Panchayats to defend the dignity of consenting adults wishing to marry.

—India Legal Bureau