Challenge to Adultery: Live Updates from SC on legality of Section 497 IPC

The Supreme Court is expected to render its verdict on the petition challenging Section 497 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which lays down the law related to adultery shortly..The Constitution Bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, along with Justices Rohinton Nariman, AM Khanwilkar, DY Chandrachud and Indu Malhotra will be pronouncing the judgment.Live updates follow:.Judgment by CJI Dipak Misra on behalf of himself and Justice AM Khanwilkar.– Bench Assembles, pronouncement of Judgment commences..– Any provision treating woman with inequality is not Constitutional, CJI Dipak Misra on behalf of himself and Justice AM Khawilkar.– CJI Dipak Misra states he has relied heavily on Triple Talaq judgment of Justice Rohinton Nariman.– Section 497 is manifestly arbitrary, offends dignity of women.– Section 497 violates Article 14 of the Constitution.– Adultery can be ground for civil issues including dissolution of marriage but it cannot be a criminal offence.– In case of adultery, criminal law expects people to be loyal which is a command which gets into the realm of privacy, CJI Dipak Misra..– Adultery might not be the cause of an unhappy marriage, it could be the result of an unhappy marriage, CJI Dipak Misra.– Section 497 IPC and Section 198 CrPC are unconstitutional, holds CJI Dipak Misra on behalf of himself and Justice AM Khanwilkar.Judgment by Justice Rohinton Nariman.– Section 497 an archaic law, manifestly arbitrary, Justice Rohinton Nariman.– Section 497 violates Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution.– Ancient notions of man being perpetrator and woman being victim no longer hold good, Rohinton Nariman J..Judgment by Justice DY Chandrachud.– Section 497 based on treatment of women as chattel. It seeks to control the sexuality of women; it hits the autonomy and dignity of women.– Section 497 perpetuates the subordinate status of women, denies dignity, sexual autonomy, is based on gender stereotypes.– Justice DY Chandrachud strikes down Section 497 for violation of Articles 14, 21 of the Constitution.Judgment by Justice Indu Malhotra.– Adultery could be a moral wrong towards the spouse and family, but question is whether it should be a criminal offence?.– Justice Indu Malhotra concurs with the rest of the Bench in striking down Section 497, IPC.Supreme Court strikes down Section 497 IPC. Unanimous judgment by CJI Dipak Misra and Justices Rohinton Nariman, AM Khanwilkar, DY Chandrachud and Indu Malhotra.