BJP MLA Mrinal Saikia opposes SC verdict on adultery

Guwahati (Assam), September 28, 2018:

BJP MLA Mrinal Saikia on Friday opposed the Supreme Court’s verdict decriminalizing British-era Section 497 of the Indian Penal Code saying adultery cannot be accepted as it violates the sanctity of a marriage.

Saikia raised the issue of the court’s verdict on the sidelines of ongoing autumn session of Assam Assembly. He said, “The verdict of the Supreme Court is not acceptable under any condition. It will destroy the very institution of marriage and ruin the new generation that we already say is spoiled.”

The Supreme Court on Thursday turned down a colonial-era anti-adultery law and termed it “unconstitutional” saying it affected the individuality of women and treated them as “chattel of husbands”.

The five-judge Constitution bench unanimously struck down IPC Section 497 dealing with the offence of adultery, holding it as manifestly arbitrary, archaic and violative of the rights to equality and equal opportunity to women.

The bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices RF Nariman, AM Khanwilkar, DY Chandrachud and Indu Malhotra said unequal treatment of women invites the wrath of the Constitution.