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Gender neutral rape law? SC says parliament can amend the law

A petition was filed in the Supreme Court by the Criminal Justice Society of India to strike down IPC section 375 which deals with the rape law.

 

New Delhi| The Supreme Court today refused to hear a plea seeking banning of Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code. A petition was filed in the Supreme Court by the Criminal Justice Society of India to strike down IPC section 375 which deals with the rape law. The petition challenged the provisions in the section on the grounds that it was not gender neutral.

Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi while hearing the matter said that the Apex Court is not the appropriate forum to deal with the case. However, it suggested that parliament can amened the law, if required. “We are not inclined to interfere at this stage. Parliament has to take a call in the issue,” said CJI Ranjan Gogoi.

Earlier this year, the Delhi High Court had noted whether it was time to introduce gender neutral rape laws. The Delhi High Court was hearing a plea challenging the gender-specific nature of the law on sexual assault. “Will there ever be a right time?” asked a bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar.

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