Court Acquits Man in High-Profile Marital Rape Case, Spark Outrage Across India

An Indian court's decision to acquit a man convicted of raping and causing the death of his wife has drawn massive protests, highlighting the absence of marital rape laws in the country. Activists are urging reforms to enhance legal protections for married women amidst widespread outrage.

An Indian high court's decision to release a man accused of raping his wife, who subsequently died, has provoked intense public backlash and reignited discussions regarding the country's lack of laws explicitly criminalizing marital rape. This case, which has drawn national attention, highlights ongoing issues regarding women's rights and protections in India.

Earlier this week, the high court in Chhattisgarh annulled the convictions of a 40-year-old husband, who had been found guilty by a lower court in 2019 of both rape and "unnatural sex" against his wife, resulting in her death shortly after the incident. The trial court had sentenced him to a decade of rigorous imprisonment, but the high court—led by Justice Narendra Kumar Vyas—stated that, under Indian law, non-consensual sex within marriage isn't classified as a crime. This ruling stood in contrast to previous convictions and has sparked outrage from activists, legal professionals, and gender rights advocates.

Sukriti Chauhan, a notable lawyer and gender rights campaigner, described the decision as a "moral and ethical failure," arguing that it symbolizes a systemic issue within India's legal framework concerning violence against women. Fellow lawyer Priyanka Shukla asserted that this judgment sends a deeply troubling message, suggesting that marrying someone grants the husband impunity over potentially lethal actions.

The court record reveals harrowing details. The incident reportedly occurred on December 11, 2017, when the husband allegedly engaged in violent sexual acts against his wife's will. After the episode, she sought help from family members and was taken to a hospital but died shortly thereafter. In a dying declaration, she explicitly communicated that the attack caused her illness. Despite this damning testimony and supporting medical evidence, the high court found grounds for acquittal based on critiques of witness testimonies and the assertion that marital rape does not exist under Indian law.

In response to the ruling, the call for legal reform has grown louder, with many advocating for the criminalization of marital rape. Presently, India remains among a select group of nations, including Pakistan and Afghanistan, where marital rape is not recognized as a criminal offense. The Indian Penal Code, unchanged since its colonial inception, includes exemptions for sexual acts within marriage, perpetuating outdated beliefs that consent is inherently granted by virtue of marriage.

Opponents of reform, including government representatives and various social constituencies, argue that criminalizing marital rape could destabilize family structures and the institution of marriage. However, activists argue that this perspective dangerously prioritizes the concept of marriage over women's safety and bodily autonomy. The Indian government has previously stated that existing laws sufficiently protect women from sexual violence.

Sexual violence is prevalent in India, with alarming statistics indicating that a significant percentage of married women experience some form of violence within the household. Reports estimate that over 30% of married women encounter physical or psychological abuse, while many more remain silent due to societal stigma.

Women’s rights advocates stress the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to address these issues. They argue that the government's failure to act reinforces a culture of impunity for perpetrators of violence against women and ignores the severity of the problem. Furthermore, they contend that the debate regarding marital rape extends beyond female rights, emphasizing the necessity for societal progress in ensuring the safety and dignity of all individuals.

In light of this landmark ruling and widespread public outrage, calls for action to criminalize marital rape in India continue to grow, demanding a shift in legal protections that acknowledge and address the realities many women face within marriages.