Name: Swapna Bijayini
Country: India

Year: 2026
Volume: Volume-11, Issue-1, January-June 2026
Page Number: 502-512
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20094149

ABSTRACT
Honour killing represents a grave violation of human rights and constitutional values in India, rooted in deeply entrenched socio-cultural norms related to caste, gender, and family prestige. The present study examines the socio-legal dimensions of honour killing, emphasizing its causes, legal framework,
judicial responses, and preventive measures. The research identifies that honour killings primarily arise due to inter-caste and inter-religious marriages, resistance to patriarchal norms, and assertion of individual autonomy, particularly by women. Despite constitutional guarantees under Articles 14, 15, 19, and 21, such practices persist due to weak enforcement, societal pressures, and absence of specific legislation. The judiciary has consistently condemned honour killings, recognizing them as barbaric
and unconstitutional, and has issued guidelines to curb such crimes. However, lack of witnesses, social complicity, and loopholes in existing laws hinder effective prosecution. The study concludes that legal reforms, combined with social awareness and institutional mechanisms, are essential to eliminate this practice. A multidisciplinary approach involving legal, educational, and policy interventions is necessary to protect individual liberty and dignity in a democratic society.

Keywords
Honour Killing, Human Rights, Constitutional Law, Khap Panchayats, Individual Autonomy, Gender Justice, Criminal Law, Social Norms, Inter-caste Marriage, Legal Reform