In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that a man indulging in sex with his wife aged between 15 to 18 years could be prosecuted for rape on complaint by her. The top court said that the age of consent is 18 and it can't be lowered. The apex court was pronouncing its verdict on a plea challenging the validity of an exception clause in the rape law that permits intercourse or sexual act by a man with his wife, not below 15 years. Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code, which defines the offence of rape, has an exception clause that says intercourse or sexual act by a man with his wife, not below 15 years, is not rape. However, the age of consent is 18 years.

Source: dna October 11, 2017 05:27 UTC