Decriminalisation of adultery in armed forces: larger bench to decide

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has sent a plea by the Central government, which want to rescind an earlier order which held that the adultery under the IPC should not be applicable to the armed forces, to the Chief Justice of India for listing it before a larger bench.

The apex court issued a notice on Wednesday in the matter.

A bench headed by Justice RF Nariman and comprising Justices Navin Sinha and KM Joseph sent the case to the Chief Justice for listing it before a five-Judge bench that had decriminalised adultery under Section 497 of the Indian Penal Code.

The top court had then noted that it can only be a ground for divorce.

Attorney General KK Venugopal, representing petitioner Defence Ministry, submitted that armed force personnel can be dismissed from service on the ground of unbecoming conduct on account of adultery with brother officers' spouses.

The Centre argued that the top court verdict on adultery may cause instability within the armed forces, as defence personnel were expected to function in peculiar conditions.

The Centre emphasised that during the course of their service, defence personnel many times stayed away from their families for long durations, as a result of their posting on borders or other far-flung areas.

After a brief hearing, Justice Nariman said that the matter would be placed before a five-Judge Bench as deemed fit by the Chief Justice of India.