Criminalization of Marital Rape in India: A Constitutional and Human Rights Analysis

Marital rape remains one of the most debated issues in Indian constitutional and criminal law. This article examines the constitutional validity of the marital rape exception through the lens of Articles 14, 15, and 21 of the Indian Constitution and analyses India's obligations under international human rights law. It discusses judicial developments, comparative legal perspectives, and concerns relating to consent, dignity, bodily autonomy, and gender justice. The article argues that criminalizing marital rape is necessary to uphold constitutional values of equality, autonomy, and human dignity while ensuring appropriate legal safeguards.