SC Gives an Earful to Khaps

Taking a strong exception to the diktats passed by Khaps on matters of marriage, Supreme Court has come out strongly against honour killings. Apex court said that even if a young adults marry within the prohibited degree of relation there are courts and law to declare it null and void.

CJI Dipak Misra warned that Khaps should not become self-appointed conscience keepers when there is law and courts to deal with marriages prohibited by law. He said that irrespective of tradition, gotra, if there is illegality in marriage, its is for law and courts to deal with it and not Khaps.

The court said that a marriage between two adults was governed by the law. The Supreme Court bench said it would set up a high-level committee consisting of senior police officers to deal with issues relating to intervention in marriages by bodies such as khap panchayats.

The SC had in the past said if an adult man and woman marry, no khap, panchayat, individual or society can question them. In a democracy, if an adult girl or boy gets into marriage, no khap, no individual or no society can question them.

Khap panchayats or associations are notorious for attacking men and women opting for inter- caste marriage. Khaps are caste or community organisations in villages which at times act as quasi-judicial bodies and pronounce harsh punishments based on regressive and age-old customs and traditions.