CHENNAI: VCK MP D Ravikumar on Wednesday urged the Union government to act decisively to enact an exclusive and comprehensive law to address all forms of honour-based crimes and establish fast-track courts to ensure swift justice to the victims.

Flagging the issue under Rule 377 of Parliament, the Villupuram MP emphasised the need for attention on honour-based crimes that affect individuals across castes, tribes, faiths and gender. These crimes, rooted in regressive social norms, remained underreported, he told Parliament.

The National Crime Records Bureau has recorded only 540 cases of honour killings since 2014, he said and noted that it indicates an “alarming” trend of systemic underreporting. The Law Commission of India has recommended a standalone law to address such crimes.

He pointed out the Shakti Vahini Vs Union Government case in the Supreme Court and said the apex court has called for specific legislation to tackle honour-based violence. “I urged the Union government to act decisively to enact a comprehensive law to address all forms of honour-based crimes,” he said.