Sexual intercourse with minor wife will be considered rape, says SC

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said that sexual intercourse with wife below 18 years of age will be considered rape.

The apex court was hearing a petition filed by an NGO, Independent thought, which was seeking to criminalise sex with wife below 18 years.

The judgement of the Apex Court could affect more than 20 million child brides in India, the NGO has said.

Earlier on September 8, the High Court was informed that a similar kind of petition, being heard in the Supreme Court, has different grounds.

The High Court was told that the apex court is hearing a matter, which concerns women, who are between the age of 15 to 18, but the PIL, which has been submitted in the Delhi High Court concerns the women of all ages.

On September 6, the top court had reserved its verdict on a plea seeking clarification if a man's physical relation with his wife below 18 years of age amounts to rape or not.