Diktats of Khap Panchayats on love marriages 'absolutely illegal': Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Tuesday took on the Centre over the matter of Khap Panchayats and their illegal diktats against inter-caste marriages.

The top court said an adult man or woman can marry anyone of his/her choice and any Khap panchayat interference is "absolutely illegal."

A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court comprising Chief Justice Dipak Mishra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud slammed Centre for failing in controlling attacks on couples who chose to marry someone of their own choice.

Reacting strongly against the illegal diktats of Khap Panchayats, the apex court said, “if the Centre does not act towards banning Khap Panchayats, then the court will step in”.

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The Khap panchayats are the quasi-judicial bodies in villages which issues diktats and pronounce harsh punishment against people breaking their so called “traditions and customs”.

A number of incidents have been reported from several parts of the country where Khap panchayats have issued their "illegal" diktats against a couple who chose to marry each other against their parents' will.

The Khaps in Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh have ruled several diktats including the ban on girls from wearing “attractive” clothes and using mobile phones.