Marital rape can't remain an exception to rape law

A tale from modern India: A man rapes his wife so brutally she dies.

- Namita Bhandare

A trial court sentences him to 10 years in jail but when he appeals, the Chhattisgarh high court acquits him of all charges, even culpable homicide.

Our law does not recognise the crime of marital rape. In fact, our amended rape laws make an 'exception' for husbands, provided their wives are over 18 years of age (small mercies). This is by design. In October last year, the ministry of home affairs told the Supreme Court that if Parliament removed the marital rape exception, the institution of marriage will be destroyed.