Khap Panchayats get Supreme Court warning over 'honour killings' in India

New Delhi : Honour Killing cases have been on a rise in North India in last few years, Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra on Monday warned Khap Panchayats of "not to be conscience keepers" and said that no one has a right to interfere in marriage of two adults.

The Supreme Court ruling came on a plea to ban family killings over ‘honour’, filed by NGO (non-government organisation) Shakti Vahini.

The CJI said: "Whether it is parents, society or anyone, they are out of it. No one, either individual or collective, or group, has the right to interfere with the marriage."

The lawyer representing Khap Panchayats said that they are also against honour killings but the only issue is with marriages between sapindas (marriage between two cousins). As per Section 5(v) of the Hindu Marriage Act, marriages between sapindas are prohibited.

The lawyer said: “Khap panchayats encourage inter-caste and inter-religious marriages. Marriages between sapindas are opposed because they are considered siblings.”

“Law will take its own course. Who are you to interfere?” asked CJI Dipak Misra.

“We are conscience keepers”, replied the lawyer appearing for khap panchayats.

“Don’t be conscience keepers. If two adults want to get married nobody should interfere,” shot back CJI Misra.

“We are not concerned with the khap panchayat. We are only concerned with the rights of a couple to get married. Whether marriage is good or bad or is it advisable, we are out of it,” the top court added.

The Supreme Court hearing on the matter has been adjourned till February 16.