India Outraged as Court Frees Man Convicted of Raping and Killing Wife

Chhattisgarh, February 15, 2025 – A controversial ruling by a Chhattisgarh High Court has sparked nationwide outrage after a man convicted of raping and killing his wife was acquitted. The court's decision, which asserts that "unnatural sex" within marriage is not an offence in India, has reignited calls for the criminalisation of marital rape.

The 40-year-old man was originally convicted in 2019 for committing unnatural sex and culpable homicide after his wife died hours after the assault. Her dying declaration had detailed the sexual violence, and post-mortem reports indicated severe injuries. However, the High Court Judge, Justice Narendra Kumar Vyas, acquitted the man, citing that marital rape is not recognized as a criminal act in India.

The ruling has prompted widespread criticism from activists, lawyers, and gender rights advocates, who argue that the legal system has failed to protect women. Lawyer Sukriti Chauhan called the judgement “ethically and morally abhorrent” and emphasized the need for urgent legal reform.

India remains one of the few countries where marital rape is not criminalised, with many groups advocating for change, highlighting that forced sex is always rape, regardless of marital status. Despite significant public outrage, the Indian government has defended the current laws, arguing that criminalising marital rape could destabilize marriage.

This case has further intensified the debate around women's rights and the need for stronger protections against sexual violence within marriage. Activists continue to push for a nationwide movement to criminalise marital rape, seeking justice for victims like the woman in this tragic case.