In a recent judgment, the Calcutta High Court made something pretty clear—if two adults are in a consensual sexual relationship, even if it’s outside of marriage, it’s not a criminal offence. The court basically said, “Hey, if both people are on board, the law shouldn’t interfere in their personal lives.”
What’s interesting is the court also pointed out the old double standards in our legal system. Under the now-abolished Section 497 of the IPC, only men were held accountable for adultery. Women? Not so much, even if they were equally involved. That, the court noted, was not just outdated but also unfair.
This ruling is in line with the Supreme Court’s 2018 decision to decriminalize adultery. It’s another step forward—towards equality, personal freedom, and, frankly, a more modern understanding of adult relationships. Bottom line? Consensual is the key.
