Supreme Court Slams Continued Use of Leprosy as Divorce Ground, Seeks State Updates

The Supreme Court has criticised the continued presence of leprosy as a valid ground for divorce in several laws, calling it “embarrassing” given that the disease has been curable for decades.

While hearing a PIL filed by the Federation of Leprosy Organisations, the Bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi gave two weeks to the states to report progress on removing such discriminatory provisions.

Despite steps by states like Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, over 100 central and 145 state laws still retain outdated clauses. The Court will next hear the case after status reports are filed.

[Federation of Lepy.Organ.(Folo). & Anr. V UOI & Ors.]