marital rape

Women's groups have petitioned the Delhi High Court to close a legal loophole and criminalize marital rape. A decision is expected soon. Men who oppose the petitions have gone on a "marriage strike."

Sex with a wife under 15 is a crime. Girls age 15 to 18 did not have that same protection — until this week. But marital rape is still not a crime if the wife is considered an adult.

A husband can force his wife to have sex against her will. And that is not a crime. An effort to change the law is running into opposition.