The Daily Populous

Wednesday October 11st, 2017 evening edition

image for Supreme Court: 'Sex with minor wife is to be considered rape', says Supreme Court

NEW DELHI: In a landmark verdict, the Supreme Court SC ) on Wednesday ruled that sex with a wife who is under 18 years of age is rape and therefore a crime.The top court did not rule on 'marital rape', which is sexual intercourse forced upon a spouse no matter what their age.Before today's SC ruling, there was an exception in Section 375 rape law provisions that protected a man who had sexual relations with his wife even if she was under 18, which is the age of consent.

"Exception 2 in Section 375 of IPC (Indian Penal Code) granting protection to husband is violative of constitution and fundamental rights of minor bride', says Supreme Court.The top court's verdict upholds the rights of 2.3 crore child brides in the country.The SC rejected the plea of the Centre which justified the provision on the grounds that child marriage is a reality in the country and such marriage has to be protected.A bench headed by Justice Madan B Lokur had on September 6 asked the Centre how Parliament could create an exception in a law when the age of consent is 18.Also in September, the apex court had said it did not want to go into the aspect of marital rape , but when the age of consent was 18 years for "all purposes", why was such an exception made in the IPC.Responding to the query, the Centre's counsel had said if this exception under the IPC goes, then it would open up the arena ofwhich does not exist in India.

"Economic and educational development in the country is still uneven and child marriages are still taking place.

It has been therefore decided to retain the age of 15 years under Exception 2 so as to give protection to husband and wife against criminalising the sexual activity between them.

It is also estimated that there are 23 million child brides in the country.

Hence, criminalising the consummation of a marriage with such a serious offence such as rape would not be appropriate and practical," the Centre had said.As per the National Family Health Survey, 46 per cent of women between the ages of 18-29 years were married before the age of 18. »

Utah police officer who handcuffed, dragged nurse in video fired

Authored by abc7chicago.com

Skordas couldn't immediately be reached for comment Tuesday.Payne's supervisor, Lt. James Tracy, was demoted to officer.

He was an off-duty reserve Idaho police officer driving a semitrailer when he was hit by a man fleeing police in a pickup truck.Payne nevertheless insisted on the blood draw, saying the evidence would protect the man.Payne told Wubbels his supervisor said he should arrest her if she didn't allow the draw.

Wubbels was later freed from the handcuffs and has not been charged.Both officers were investigated and placed on paid administrative leave after the video became public. »

Deputies: Pinellas Park man Googled 'how to rob a bank' then robbed a bank

Authored by tampabay.com

PINELLAS PARK — Sheriff's deputies on Monday arrested a man accused of robbing a bank near Largo last week, then using the money on utilities, rent and a drug binge.

Deputies arrested him Monday night on a robbery charge at the Express Inn at 11333 U.S. 19 N in Pinellas Park.

In an interview, detectives said Johnson told them he was in need of money and searched on Google "how to rob a bank.". »

Terry Crews details alleged sexual assault by ‘high level’ Hollywood exec

Authored by pagesix.com

In the wake of many female stars and employees coming forward about Harvey Weinstein’s alleged sexual harassment and assault, actor Terry Crews has a story of his own experience with sexual assault in Hollywood.

“My wife n I were at a Hollywood function last year n a high level Hollywood executive came over 2 me and groped my privates.”.

Crews wrote that he hoped his story would “deter a predator and encourage someone who feels hopeless.”. »