As per the latest available published information with National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), a total of 28 cases in 2014, 251 cases in 2015 and 77 cases in 2016 were reported with motive as Honour Killing (which includes cases registered under murder (section 302 IPC) & culpable homicide not amounting to murder (section 304 IPC) in the country.

In pursuance of the Judgement dated 27.03.2018 passed by Hon’ble Supreme Court in the matter of Writ Petition (C) No. 231/2010 – Shakti Vahini vs.  Union  of  India & ors, Ministry of  Home  Affairs  vide its advisory dated 31.05.2018 had advised all States about the preventive, remedial and punitive measures required to be implemented to address the issues related to honour crime. The said advisory is available at http://mha.gov.in.

Vide the above-mentioned advisory States/UTs were advised to comply with the directions as mentioned in the judgement, which inter-alia include:

(a)        The State Governments shall create Special Cells in every District comprising of the Superintendent of Police, the District Social Welfare Officer and District Adi-Dravidar Welfare Officer to receive petitions/complaints of harassment of and threat to couples of inter-caste marriage.

(b)  These Special Cells shall create a 24-hour helpline to receive and register such complaints and to provide necessary assistance/advice and protection to the couple.

‘Police’ and ‘Public Order’ are State subjects under the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. The responsibilities to maintain law and order, protection of life and property of the citizens rest primarily with the respective State Governments. The State Governments are competent to deal with such offences under the extant provisions of laws.

This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Hansraj Gangaram Ahir in a written reply to question in the Lok Sabha today.

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BB/NK/PK/VKB/2106