No basis for 15 yrs of age limit

In a landmark ruling on Wednesday, the Supreme Court held that in a child marriage, sexual intercourse between a man and his minor wife under the age of 18 is rape.

The artificial distinction was arbitrary and discriminatory and was definitely not in the best interests of the girl child. The bench noted that the artificial distinction was contrary to the philosophy and ethos of the Constitution as well as contrary to Article 21 of the Constitution and our commitments in international conventions. It violated the right of fair treatment of the girl child and the figure of 15 years was not based on any scientific analysis.