New law imposes 10-year sentence for hiding religion during marriages

New provisions in the IPC aimed at safeguarding women from deception

New Delhi – According to the new provisions of the Indian Penal Code, anyone from any religious background who marries while concealing or misrepresenting their religious identity will face a 10-year imprisonment under Section 69. Supreme Court lawyer Rudra Vikram Singh emphasised that marrying by deceiving or hiding one’s identity in the context of marriage has now been deemed a criminal offense. Measures have been established to address conspiracies related to ‘Love Jihad’.

Death penalty for raping minor girl

Article 63 of the Indian Penal Code defines rape, while Article 64 provides for punishment. In cases of rape, the convict has a minimum sentence of 10 years. Section 70 (2) provides punishment for raping a minor girl. The punishment for raping a minor girl below 16 years has been increased to 20 years. It also provides for death penalty. Rape of a girl below 12 years of age is punishable by a minimum of 20 years imprisonment or the death penalty.

Editorial Perspective

Only time will tell if this law effectively deters Muslim youths from marrying Hindu girls by concealing their religion.