Despite several protests and movements, marital rape still isn’t illegal in our country. Even though the judges at the Kerala High Court said that marital rape can be a solid ground for divorce, a Mumbai court said otherwise.
According to Zee News, a Mumbai court recently heard the plea of a woman who suffered paralysis after her husband allegedly raped her. Additional Sessions judge Sanjashree J Gharat said that the man “cannot be held responsible” and that forced sex in marriage “can’t be called illegal”.
“It is very unfortunate that the young girl suffered paralysis. However, the applicants (husband and family) cannot be held responsible for the same. Looking into the nature of allegations made against the applicants, custodial interrogation is not required. The applicants are ready to cooperate during the course of the investigation,” the court said.
According to DNA, the couple got married in 2020. The woman alleged that the husband started to have sex against her consent after marriage. In her complaint against him, she mentioned that she suffered paralysis below her waist after forced sex.
She further alleged that her in-laws put restrictions on her, used to taunt and abuse her, and also demanded dowry.
Her husband and his family have refuted the allegations, claiming protection from arrest.
The court’s statements left several people online enraged. Here’s what some of them said:
This would only lead to more & more women questioning the very institution of marriage. Because beyond the “institution of marriage” it would at least be considered as rape in any civilised society.
— Suchi SA (@suchi_a) August 14, 2021
If the legal system fails the family, the legal system will lose legitimacy
— Shobna S. Iyer (@shobnasi) August 14, 2021
never wish something like this on anyone. NEVER
— Eva (@zehnasseb) August 14, 2021
Ultimately it’s a man sitting on the judge seat and deciding, what more can we expect?
— Sheetalvd (@sheetal1512) August 14, 2021
the husband raped her so bad that she was paralysed and the mumbai court says “nothing wrong about it”?
what a vile rape-enabler that judge is. shame on them and n the entire mumbai ssessions court.
— Oru Kattan (@KattanOru) August 14, 2021
Where do women even look for justice. They casted her paralysis aside like it was silly non issue. 💔💔 I hope she gets divorced and gets out of this terrible marriage.
— مريم 🍓🇵🇸 (@watermeIanchoIy) August 14, 2021
The woman suffered paralysis I wonder what the asshole husband did.
Unbelievable that this type of pathetic judgement is given in favour of a criminal.
Is there any law and order nowdays 😠
— S M K (@warrior0086) August 14, 2021
TW: Rape
Champions of the anti-feminist movement, please justify this. Forced sex by husband is not illegal. It’s “unfortunate” that the woman is paralysed waist down because of it but the court granted pre-arrest bail to the husband. Stand up and clap till your hands bleed. https://t.co/VZJviPIDAD
— Doctor (@DipshikhaGhosh) August 14, 2021
Trigger Warning: Rape
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This is so sick and disgusting. We seriously need to criminalise marital rape and raise awareness about it. https://t.co/BEkR6bDT9q— Kagami defender. She/her (@pillai_tanya) August 14, 2021
What do you think of the court’s judgement? Tell us.