Yes, honour killing is illegal in India.
Honour killing is a form of murder that is committed by family members or other relatives, often in the name of protecting the family's honour. In India, honour killings are often carried out when a woman is perceived to have brought shame upon her family by engaging in a relationship outside of the family's approval, or by choosing to marry someone from another caste or religion.
The Indian Penal Code (IPC) criminalizes murder, and honour killings are considered murder under the law. The Supreme Court of India has also issued several judgments that explicitly recognize honour killings as a serious crime.
Here are some of the laws that address honour killing in India:
- Section 302 of the IPC: This section defines murder as the unlawful killing of a human being with the intention of causing death or with the knowledge that the act is likely to cause death. Honour killings fall under this section.
- Section 304B of the IPC: This section specifically addresses dowry deaths, which are a form of honour killing that often occur when a woman is killed by her husband or in-laws for not bringing enough dowry.
- The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005: This Act provides protection to women from domestic violence, including honour killings.
Although honour killing is illegal in India, it still remains a problem. The government has taken several steps to combat honour killings, including:
- Raising awareness about the issue: The government has launched several campaigns to educate people about the illegality and consequences of honour killings.
- Enhancing law enforcement: The government has increased the number of police officers and trained them to deal with honour killings.
- Providing support to victims: The government has established shelters and support services for victims of honour killings.
However, more needs to be done to effectively address honour killings in India. It is important to continue to raise awareness about the issue, strengthen the legal framework, and provide support to victims and their families.
