Honor Killings in India

18.08.2025

 Honor Killings in India

Context

Honor killings remain a serious challenge in India, with incidents reported even in relatively developed regions, including parts of South India.

What is an Honor Killing?

Honor killing refers to the murder of a family or community member, usually a woman, by relatives or community groups who believe that the individual’s actions have tarnished family or social “honor.” Such actions may include inter-caste or inter-faith marriages, love marriages, rejection of arranged alliances, or sexual choices not approved by the family.

Data and Underreporting

• NCRB statistics: 25 cases (2019) and 33 cases (2021).
   
• Actual numbers are believed to be far higher, as many cases are underreported or misclassified due to social stigma and pressure from families or community groups.
   

Root Causes

• Caste and Gotra Practices: Marriages across caste lines or within the same gotra are often opposed by families.
   
• Patriarchy: Traditional male-dominated social structures restrict women’s autonomy in choosing partners.
   
• Khap Panchayats: Informal caste councils frequently impose punishments against couples, reinforcing regressive norms.
   
• Social Reputation: Families prioritize “status” in society over the constitutional rights and choices of individuals.
   

Consequences

• Violation of Fundamental Rights: Honor killings directly contravene Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty) of the Constitution.
   
• Psychological Damage: Survivors and relatives often face long-term emotional trauma.
   
• Weak Rule of Law: Inadequate legal mechanisms and slow judicial processes allow offenders to escape strict punishment.
   
• Gender Inequality: Reinforces barriers to women’s education, employment, and personal freedom, perpetuating social backwardness.
   

Legal Framework and Judicial Role

• No Separate Law: India does not have a dedicated statute on honor killings. Cases are prosecuted under murder provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS) (previously IPC) , Sections 299–304 (murder), Section 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), and Sections 34–35 (common intention).
   
• Legislative Attempts: A specific bill was proposed in 2021 but has not been enacted.
   
• Law Commission (242nd Report, 2012): Recommended a special law to address honor crimes comprehensively.
   
• Supreme Court Interventions:
   
  • Lata Singh vs. State of U.P. (2006): Protected inter-caste couples from harassment.
     
  • State of U.P. vs. Krishna Master (2010): Advocated life imprisonment for honor killings.
     
  • Arumugam Servai vs. State of Tamil Nadu (2011): Held that parents cannot harass or forcefully punish children for inter-caste marriages.
     
  • Shakti Vahini vs. Union of India (2018): Landmark judgment declaring honor killings unconstitutional, directing state authorities to ensure safety of couples.
     

Way Forward

• Dedicated Law: Enact a separate anti-honor killing law, clearly defining offenses and responsibilities of law enforcement.
   
• Fast-Track Justice: Set up special courts for speedy trial of honor killing cases.
   
• Strengthen Existing Laws: Amend the Special Marriage Act and provisions of BNSS to explicitly recognize honor killings as distinct crimes.
   
• Address Social Roots: Public campaigns and educational reforms must target caste rigidity, patriarchal mindsets, and the legitimacy of Khap Panchayats.
   

These reforms, combined with strong legal measures and social change, are essential to protect individual freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution and to end the practice of honor killings in India.

Honor Killings in India

Context

Honor killings remain a serious challenge in India, with incidents reported even in relatively developed regions, including parts of South India.

What is an Honor Killing?

Honor killing refers to the murder of a family or community member, usually a woman, by relatives or community groups who believe that the individual’s actions have tarnished family or social “honor.” Such actions may include inter-caste or inter-faith marriages, love marriages, rejection of arranged alliances, or sexual choices not approved by the family.

Data and Underreporting

• NCRB statistics: 25 cases (2019) and 33 cases (2021).
   
• Actual numbers are believed to be far higher, as many cases are underreported or misclassified due to social stigma and pressure from families or community groups.
   

Root Causes

• Caste and Gotra Practices: Marriages across caste lines or within the same gotra are often opposed by families.
   
• Patriarchy: Traditional male-dominated social structures restrict women’s autonomy in choosing partners.
   
• Khap Panchayats: Informal caste councils frequently impose punishments against couples, reinforcing regressive norms.
   
• Social Reputation: Families prioritize “status” in society over the constitutional rights and choices of individuals.
   

Consequences

• Violation of Fundamental Rights: Honor killings directly contravene Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty) of the Constitution.
   
• Psychological Damage: Survivors and relatives often face long-term emotional trauma.
   
• Weak Rule of Law: Inadequate legal mechanisms and slow judicial processes allow offenders to escape strict punishment.
   
• Gender Inequality: Reinforces barriers to women’s education, employment, and personal freedom, perpetuating social backwardness.
   

Legal Framework and Judicial Role

• No Separate Law: India does not have a dedicated statute on honor killings. Cases are prosecuted under murder provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS) (previously IPC) , Sections 299–304 (murder), Section 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide), and Sections 34–35 (common intention).
   
• Legislative Attempts: A specific bill was proposed in 2021 but has not been enacted.
   
• Law Commission (242nd Report, 2012): Recommended a special law to address honor crimes comprehensively.
   
• Supreme Court Interventions:
   
  • Lata Singh vs. State of U.P. (2006): Protected inter-caste couples from harassment.
     
  • State of U.P. vs. Krishna Master (2010): Advocated life imprisonment for honor killings.
     
  • Arumugam Servai vs. State of Tamil Nadu (2011): Held that parents cannot harass or forcefully punish children for inter-caste marriages.
     
  • Shakti Vahini vs. Union of India (2018): Landmark judgment declaring honor killings unconstitutional, directing state authorities to ensure safety of couples.
     

Way Forward

• Dedicated Law: Enact a separate anti-honor killing law, clearly defining offenses and responsibilities of law enforcement.
   
• Fast-Track Justice: Set up special courts for speedy trial of honor killing cases.
   
• Strengthen Existing Laws: Amend the Special Marriage Act and provisions of BNSS to explicitly recognize honor killings as distinct crimes.
   
• Address Social Roots: Public campaigns and educational reforms must target caste rigidity, patriarchal mindsets, and the legitimacy of Khap Panchayats.
   

These reforms, combined with strong legal measures and social change, are essential to protect individual freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution and to end the practice of honor killings in India.