DCW Chief Says SC’s Adultery Law Verdict 'Anti-Women', Gives License To Illegitimate Relationships

Maliwal criticized the decision and said “Instead of making 497 gender neutral, criminalising it both for women and men they have decriminalised it totally! Anti women decision.”

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NEW DELHI: After the Supreme Court on Thursday declared the penal provision on adultery unconstitutional, saying it was manifestly arbitrary and dents the individuality of women, Delhi Women Panel Chief Swati Maliwal called the verdict "anti-women". Swati Maliwal said “Totally disagree with SC on adultery. They've given license to married couples 4 adulterous relationships. What's sanctity of marriage then?” Maliwal further criticized the decision and said “Instead of making 497 gender neutral, criminalising it both for women and men they have decriminalised it totally! Anti-women decision.” On Twitter, she wrote, “Would suggest seek divorce first and then find your true love. Why be in an adulterous relationship? Why cheat on another human being? Imagine plight of a wife whose husband finds love outside marriage. U wish to understand the pain -visit DCW. Every second woman is facing this.” Many on social media trolled her for the stand and said that she has an “orthodox thinking.” Earlier today, a five-judge Constitution bench which comprised of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices R F Nariman, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud and Indu Malhotra was unanimous in holding Section 497 of the Indian Penal Code, as unconstitutional and struck down the penal provision. Previously, the law entailed a maximum punishment of five years, or with fine, or both. Section 497 of the 158-year-old IPC says: "Whoever has sexual intercourse with a person who is and whom he knows or has reason to believe to be the wife of another man, without the consent or connivance of that man, such sexual intercourse not amounting to the offence of rape, is guilty of the offence of adultery."

Totally disagree with SC on adultery. They've given license to married couples 4 adulterous relationships. What's sanctity of marriage then?

Instead of making 497 gender neutral, criminalising it both for women and men they have decriminalised it totally" @SwatiJaiHind pic.twitter.com/SlJstKkDRN — Amit Mishra (@Amitjanhit) September 27, 2018