New Delhi, July 30: The Supreme Court on Monday heard a writ petition filed by activist Sunita Tiwari seeking ban on the practice of female genital mutilation or khatna of the girl child practiced by the Dawoodi Bohra Muslim community.

The apex court has listed the matter for hearing tomorrow. Expressing support to the PIL, the court said the practice of female genital mutilation "would not pass the test of constitutional validity".

Briefing the court on the petition, veteran advocate Indira Jaising said the time has come for the judiciary to intervene in religious practices which violate constitutional rights.

Indira Jaising submitted before the court that if something is considered to be criminal under the law cannot be protected by a customary practice.

She further added that any touching of female genitals is an offence under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Prevention of Children From Sexual Offences (POCSO) only exception being medical purposes.

"The only problem is that guardians themselves are doing this to the females," she further submitted.

Attorney General KK Venugopal, who was asked to submit the view of Centre, said the government is supporting the petition seeking ban on female genital mutilation.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 30, 2018 05:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).