In Brief
In Shakti Vahini v. Union of India, the Supreme Court addressed the serious problem of honour killings and honour crimes perpetrated by Khap Panchayats and other community bodies in the name of protecting caste or community honour. The Court held that two consenting adults have a fundamental constitutional right to marry according to their choice, and this right cannot be curtailed by notions of class honour or family/community opposition. The Court issued comprehensive directions for preventive measures (identifying at-risk areas, police vigilance), remedial measures (safe houses, fast-tracked investigations), and punitive measures (disciplinary action against negligent officials and expedited trials). The Court emphasized that dignity and individual choice are inseparable and that the State must actively protect citizens' fundamental rights against extra-constitutional bodies.
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