The Supreme Court once again came down heavily on the self-appointed "khap panchayats", asking how they have become guardians of the law, and categorically ruled that marriages between two adults will not have any third party interference, neither from the parents nor the state.

"When two adults get married, no third party should interfere in the marriage. Not even the state," a Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra today said, adding that even the parents of the two adults have no right to "interfere or threaten".

Khaps are caste or community organisations in villages - mostly in Haryana and western UP - which at times act as quasi-judicial bodies and pronounce harsh punishments based on regressive and age-old customs and traditions.

The Supreme Court is hearing a petition moved by an NGO called Shakti Vahini, which has questioned the legal validity of various honour killing orders passed by "khap panchayats". The NGO had moved the Supreme Court in 2010, seeking directions to the central and state governments to prevent and control honour killings and other crimes.

Asking the Narendra Modi government to come up with "effective suggestions" in connection with the protection of couples over various cases of "honour killings" and other forms of persecution ordered by the "khap panchayats", the Supreme Court asked how these self-appointed courts came up in the first place.

"Who appointed the "khap" or anyone as the guardian of law? The law shall take its own course," CJI Misra asked. "It is completely for the courts to decide whether a marriage is tenable in law or not. The "khap panchayats" cannot decide that."

When the lawyer representing the "khap panchayats" argued that they stand to protect "age-old traditions and are "the conscience keepers of society", the Supreme Court said, "You are nobody to decide that. Whether the marriage is valid or not is for the courts to decide."

"We are discussing the fundamental issue of marriage between two consenting adults. Khap or anyone can't decide on the legality of marriage," the court said.

Last month, the Supreme Court had termed as "absolutely illegal" any attack by "khap panchayats" or their associates against adult men and women opting for inter-caste marriage.

"If an adult man and woman marry, no khap panchayat or society can question them," the Supreme Court bench ruled, which is also expected to suggest guidelines to rein in the khap panchayats.

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