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India Supreme Court Rules Adultery No Longer a Crime

by VOA News

   Adultery is no longer a crime in India due to a ruling Thursday by
   country's highest court.
   The Supreme Court's judgement struck down a British colonial-era law it
   ruled discriminated against women. The law allowed men who had sex with
   a married woman without her husband's blessing could be charged,
   convicted and sentenced up to five years in prison.
   "Adultery cannot and should not be a crime," Chief Justice Dipak Misra
   said as he read the judgement.
   Businessman Joseph Shine challenged the court to strike down the law,
   arguing it was discriminatory against women and arbitrary.
   In its ruling, the court said an extramarital affair was a private
   matter between adults and is still a valid reason for divorce.
   Adultery remains a crime in many Asian countries, and also in some U.S.
   states.