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Is Incest Legal in India? Understanding the Laws and Consequences


08-Jul-2024 (In Family Law)
I am a 44-year-old NRI woman from Spain, now settled in India for the long term. My son and I had a legal and openly accepted relationship in Spain. We have a 3-year-old daughter, and I am currently 5 months pregnant. Can we continue our relationship in India? We are interested in supporting others in similar situations and starting a support group. My son is 24 years old. We also created a documentary showcasing our relationship, aiming to illustrate its beauty, though it has not yet been released online. Is incest in India legal?
  1. Is incest legal in India? Can I continue my relationship with my son after moving to India?
  2. What does Indian law say about incest relationships? Are there any legal consequences?
  3. Is there any legal support for incest relationships in India? What are the religious and social views?
  4. What are the consequences of incest in India? Can a mother marry her son legally?
Answers (5)

Answer #1
425 votes

In Indian society, the relationship between a mother and son is regarded as deeply sacred and bound by strong cultural, moral, and religious values. Any sexual relationship between them is considered a grave violation of social and ethical norms. Under Indian family laws, particularly the Hindu Marriage Act, relationships such as that between a mother and son fall under the "Degrees of Prohibited Relationship." As a result, any marriage or sexual relationship within these degrees is not only socially unacceptable but also legally void and punishable under relevant provisions of the law.

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Answer #2
636 votes
If you are still legally married, your relationship may be considered adultery, which has legal consequences in India. As for incest in India, there are currently no explicit laws banning it under the Indian Penal Code (Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita). However, incest relationships in India are widely condemned due to religious, social, and cultural norms.

Most major religions in India, including Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, and Buddhism, consider incest immoral. While Hindu mythology mentions cases of incest, the prevailing view is that it is sinful. Furthermore, many countries like Pakistan, Singapore, and Malaysia have strict incest laws with severe penalties.

While you and your son may not face direct legal charges under incest laws in India, social stigma and religious beliefs make such relationships highly controversial. Children born out of incest may also face significant challenges in society.
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Answer #3
523 votes
Where is your husband? Why have you not had a relationship with him? In India, there is no support for this kind of relationship. Keep your relationship to yourself, otherwise you may face severe consequences in your society if such a relationship is disclosed within the vicinity. My humble request is that DON'T DISCLOSE THIS RELATION IN SOCIETY.
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Answer #4
669 votes
Yes, you may face legal and social trouble in India. In Indian society, the relationship between a mother and son is considered sacred, and any sexual relationship between them violates social, communal, and religious ethics.

Indian family laws classify incest relationships under "Degrees of Prohibited Relationship," making such marriages legally invalid. Even if there are no direct legal provisions for incest in India, these relationships are not legally recognized and are strongly condemned by society.
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Answer #5
827 votes
Incest relationships are not permitted in India. Even though there is no explicit law banning incest in India, it is prohibited under family laws, which prevent marriages between close blood relatives.

Additionally, society will not accept such relationships, and it may become difficult for you to settle in India. Legally, you are a lineal ascendant of your son, and marriages or sexual relationships between direct family members are not recognized under Indian laws.
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