Indian Court Acquits Husband in Marital Rape Case That Led to Wife's Death

The Chhattisgarh High Court cited legal immunity for marital rape under Indian law, reigniting debates over consent and women's rights.

The Chhattisgarh High Court overturned the conviction of a man accused of marital rape and unnatural sexual acts that allegedly caused his wife's death in 2017.
The court ruled that under Indian law, non-consensual sexual acts by a husband with his wife cannot be classified as rape, citing Exception 2 under Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Despite the victim's dying declaration implicating her husband, the court found insufficient evidence to uphold the charges of rape, unnatural sex, and culpable homicide.
India's legal framework does not criminalize marital rape, a stance defended by the government, which argues that such a move could disrupt the institution of marriage.
The case highlights ongoing legal and societal debates in India over marital consent and the rights of women, with petitions challenging the marital rape exemption pending before the Supreme Court.