Decriminalisation of adultery won't be applicable in armed forces, rules SC, clarifying its 2018 landmark verdict

New Delhi, Jan 31 (PTI) Observing that military discipline will be affected if there is an army with "completely loose morals", the Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that the armed forces can take action against their officers for adulterous acts and decriminalisation of adultery would not stand in the way of initiating disciplinary proceedings.

Clarifying its landmark 2018 judgement which had struck down Section 497 of the IPC that criminalised adultery, a five-judge Constitution bench headed by Justice K M Joseph said the verdict was not concerned with the provisions of the armed forces acts.

The top court in 2018 had struck down the 158-year-old anti-adultery law, saying it was unconstitutional as it dented the individuality of women and treated them as "chattel of husbands".