CPM leader Brinda Karat welcomes SC judgement on adultery law

Brinda Karat also noted that aggrieved wife of an adulterous husband can move the court against cruelty.

"I welcome the judgement as it strikes down the law which considered women as the property of men", Karat, a CPI-M politburo member, told PTI.

"At the same time the aggrieved wife of an adulterous husband can take recourse to laws against cruelty and also for compensation under the domestic violence prevention act", she said. "Adultery remains a ground for divorce".

Declaring that adultery is not a crime, the apex court struck down the law, saying it was unconstitutional, dented the individuality of women and treated them as "chattel of husbands".