Supreme Court Seeks Centre’s Reply on Plea to Ban Female Genital Mutilation

Overview

• Justices B. V. Nagarathna and R. Mahadevan issued notices on Friday after agreeing to examine the case.
• The plea by NGO Chetna Welfare Society argues the practice is not an essential part of Islam and violates children’s rights.
• The petition says India lacks a standalone ban but contends offences are covered under BNS Sections 113 and 118(1)–(3) and under POCSO for non‑medical touching of minors.
• WHO classifies FGM as a grave human‑rights violation and reports health risks such as infections, infertility and complications in childbirth, with long‑term psychological trauma noted.
• The practice is reported among sections of Muslims, particularly the Dawoodi Bohra community, and the matter will proceed after the Centre files its response, with some coverage noting a possible Constitution Bench referral based on past cases.