10 July 2013

SC notice to Centre on age of consent for sexual relations

The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notice to the Centre on a PIL seeking a direction for fixing the age of consent of a wife at 18 years for having sexual relations with her husband. Agreeing to hear the PIL, a bench headed by Justice K S Radhakrishnan sought response from the Centre on the issue.

The court passed the order on a petition filed by an NGO, iThought, seeking its direction for amendment of section 375 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code which makes an exception on age of consent of the wife for sexual relations with her husband.

The exception in section 375, which was recently amended by the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 2013, states that "sexual intercourse or sexual acts by a man with his own wife, the wife not being under 15 years of age, is not rape."

Canadian High Commission condemns Bodh Gaya blasts

The Canadian High Commission has condemned the terror strike in the temple town of Bodh Gaya, and called for those responsible to be brought to justice.

"Canada is shocked at this wanton act of terrorist violence against one of Buddhism's most important sites. Assaulting a place of pilgrimage, reflection and peace has a particularly evil dimension and cannot be tolerated," said Andrew Bennett, Canada's Ambassador for Religious Freedom, and Jim Nickel, Acting High Commissioner for Canada to India,

Mahela is first to take 200 catches

Mahela Jayawardene, with Shikhar Dhawan's catch, is the first fielder to complete 200 catches in ODIs.

Tatas asked to make stand clear on Singur land issue

The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked Tata Motors to make its stand clear on its leasehold rights over the Singur land in the wake of changed scenario as the company had already moved its car plant out of West Bengal.