New Delhi, August 1:  The Supreme Court has said that it won't make adultery, a gender-neutral crime, according to report. Justice DY Chandrachud opened today's debate session by asking, "Why should adultery be a crime at all if it violates Article 14." Advocate Kaleeswaram Raj, while making submissions on behalf of the petitioner further questioned, "The simple question is can a person be sent to jail on the ground that he had consensual sex with another person's wife?"

Last month, a bench of the Supreme Court started re-examining the constitutionality of Section 497 of IPC that incorporates provisions for the adultery law. The bench is also deciding whether the exemption granted to women from being punished for adultery is required to be changed.

The Centre in its affidavit before the Apex Court said that diluting adultery law will impact the sanctity of marriages. Section 497 was enacted so as to safeguard the sanctity of marriage, and making adultery legal will hurt marriage bonds, stated the Centre. The hearing session for the day is done, and the bench will again resume their hearing on Thursday.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 01, 2018 04:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).