Tuesday, November 08, 2005

Dirt on the IPC #4: Unnatural offences

Here is the exact section banning homosexuality. It is common knowledge that homosexuality is forbidden by the law in India, but what is startling is that
a) Judging by the severity of punishment, homosexuality is more of an offence than rape
b) As penetration is defined and commonly interpreted only as penal-vaginal penetration in the rape section, oral or anal sex is also, therefore forbidden by the law, as it is against the order of nature.
c) While women who commit adultry are not recognized, let alone deemed unlawful, Lesbians are.

377. Unnatural offences
Whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal, shall be punished with 152 [imprisonment for life], or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.

No comments: