Apex court sends strong message to Khaps

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday warned 'Khaps' or self appointed villages not to become self-appointed conscience keepers.

The apex court said it was contemplating appointing a high level police committee to devise ways and means to protect couples married inter-caste, inter-faith, or similarly opposed alliances and keep them safe from any violence directed by Khaps, panchayats, parents and relatives.

Even if two adults, who are within prohibited degree of relation, get married, the Supreme Court observed, it was for the law to declare the marriage null and void and khaps or panchayats or parents can not resort to violence against the couple.

It asked the Centre and petitioners to come up with effective suggestions in connection with the protection of the couples in Khap Panchayat matters.

A three-judge bench, consisting of Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, observed that it is for the courts to decide, if the marriages are legally valid.

It also made it clear that if something was illegal, law and courts will take care of it, but not Khaps.

Counsel for Khaps of Haryana contended that they keep alive centuries old traditions and were the conscience keepers of society. Khaps, counsel contended, had evolved and only oppose marriages within family and outside clan.

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