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In a historic decision, the Supreme Court on Thursday, 6 September, read down Section 377 of the IPC to exclude any sex acts between consenting adults, including consensual same-sex acts. The move is particularly important for the LGBTQ+ community, who have been targeted and discriminated against because of this provision, as noted by the judges.
However, the five-judge bench did not entirely scrap Section 377. Non-consensual same-sex acts and bestiality continue to be criminal offences, as clarified by the Supreme Court decision (comprised of four concurring judgments).
At this point, it may be useful to recall what exactly Section 377 of the IPC says:
In his judgment on behalf of himself and Justice AM Khanwilkar, CJI Dipak Misra said,
Which means that Section 377 can still be invoked against an individual (man or woman) if he/she indulges in non-consensual “carnal intercourse against the order of nature.”
In all other respects, however, Section 377 will continue to apply as it did before.
The judgment does not change the position of law on this issue.
Even before this judgment, Section 377 could be invoked by a wife against her husband for indulging in non-consensual or forced anal or oral sex with her – see for instance the decision of the Gujarat High Court in Nimeshbhai Bharatbhai Desai vs State of Gujarat. Section 375 (the general provision for rape) has an exception for marital rape, while Section 377 makes no such exception.
This and other similar issues may also be addressed by the Delhi High Court which is hearing a plea on the marital rape exception.
Justice Indu Malhotra addressed one of the elephants in the room - the cases instituted under Section 377 before today’s judgment of the Supreme Court.
As a result, the judgment can be used to quash pending cases (at any stage) which relate to consensual same-sex acts. It would not apply to cases where there was no consent - and cannot also be used where the legal process has been concluded (ie, where a convicted person has served their sentence or has no avenue of appeal/revision).
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