In a landmark verdict which would go a long way in creating a caste-less society, the Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that questioning inter-caste marriages or making attempts to separate couples of inter-caste marriage would be treated as a crime.

“No efforts would be made to separate such couple by indulging in ‘Katta Panchayat’ or through Gram Panchayat; even society’s elders would have no say on the issue as they don’t have any right to comment about such couples. Even parents don’t have the right to question their sons and daughters if they married out of their castes,” yesterday’s ruling made it clear.

“Adults who are above 18 years of age are free to get married to the persons of their choice and nobody has the right to prevent them from doing so. If anybody tried to do so, it would be viewed as illegal and as a criminal activity. Social boycott of such couples by Gram Panchayat or ‘Katta Panchayat’ would also be taken seriously from now onwards,” the verdict said.

The Supreme Court also recommended to the Centre to enact tough laws to save couples falling in love and marrying out of their respective castes. “If the Centre fails to do so within a reasonable period of time, the Court would have to intervene,” the apex Court said as a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra passed the much-awaited verdict yesterday.