MISSION STATEMENT
The Center for Honour Crimes Research (CHCR) is committed to understanding, addressing, and ultimately eradicating honour-based violence and crimes globally. We aim to illuminate the root causes, socio-cultural dynamics, and systemic inequalities that perpetuate these acts, using rigorous, interdisciplinary research as a foundation for change.
At CHCR, we believe in the transformative power of education, advocacy, and collaboration. Our mission is to produce and disseminate evidence-based insights that inform public policy, legal reforms, and community interventions. By partnering with survivors, grassroots organizations, law enforcement, and international stakeholders, we strive to bridge the gap between research and practice.
We are dedicated to fostering a world where human dignity and equality are paramount, and no individual faces violence or discrimination under the guise of honour. Through our work, we seek to challenge harmful societal norms, support survivors in reclaiming their agency, and promote culturally sensitive approaches that respect human rights.
The CHCR envisions a future where honour-based violence is understood, condemned, and addressed through informed action, ensuring safety, justice, and respect for all individuals worldwide.
–Dr. Ritabrata Roy,
Director (Center for Honour Crime Research)
STATISTICS IN INDIA
Source : All data are gathered from National Crime Records Bureau website.
Note : According to the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB), the number of cases of honour killings reported in India for year 2024 is 251. This is a significant spike from years 2021 (33), 2020 (25) and 2019 (25).
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- What are honour crimes?
CHCR broadly adopts the Crown Prosecution Service definition ↗️ of ‘Honour’-based abuse (HBA) as: “an incident or crime involving violence, threats of violence, intimidation coercion or abuse (including psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional abuse) which has or may have been committed to protect or defend the honour of an individual, family and/ or community for alleged or perceived breaches of the family and/or community’s code of behaviour.”
Additionally, honour based crimes could include: Forced marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM), attempted murder, conspiracy to murder, manslaughter, encouraging or assisting suicide, procuring an abortion, withdrawal from school, isolation, imprisonment, kidnapping and trafficking, and conspiracy to commit a variety of assaults.
- Who can be victims of honour crimes?
Honour crimes primarily affect women and girls who are perceived to have brought shame to their family or community, often due to actions like rejecting arranged marriages, pursuing relationships deemed inappropriate, seeking divorce, or defying cultural norms.
- Can men be also victimised in the name of family/community honour?
Men can also be targeted, particularly in cases of interfaith or intercaste relationships or because of their sexuality.
- Can LGBTQI+ individuals be targetted in the name of family/community honour?
Yes, LGBTQI+ individuals are especially vulnerable, as their sexual orientation or gender identity may be seen as dishonorable in conservative societies.
- Is there a specific law against honour crimes in India?
No, despite the efforts of several social support organisations and recommendations from the Supreme Court of India there is no dedicated legislation enacted against hour crimes in India as of now.
- Where can the statistics regarding registered honour crimes cases in India be found?
All statistical data regarding registered cases of honour crimes in India can be found in the website of National Crime Records Bureau.
VIDEOS
RESEARCH BLOGS
REPORTS
IMPORTANT JUDGMENTS
SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
- Shakti Vahini vs. Union of India [AIR 2018 SC 1601] | Download Judgment | Read Analysis
- Lata Singh vs. State of Uttar Pradesh [2006 (5) SCC 475] | Download Judgment | Read Analysis
- Bhagwan Dass vs State (Nct) Of Delhi [(2011) 6 SCC 396] | Download Judgment | Read Analysis
- Hari vs The State Of Uttar Pradesh [ Criminal Appeal No. 186 of 2018] | Download Judgment | Read Analysis
- Arumugam Servai vs State Of Tamil Nadu [CRIMINAL APPEAL NO._958_of 2011] | Download Judgment | Read Analysis
- Shafin Jahan vs Asokan K.M. [AIRONLINE 2018 SC 1136] | Download Judgment | Read Analysis
- Vikas Yadav vs State Of U.P And Ors. Etc. [AIR 2016 SC 4614] | Download Judgment | Read Analysis
- State Of U.P vs Krishna Master & Ors [AIR 2010 SUPREME COURT 3071] | Download Judgment | Read Analysis
INDIAN HIGH COURTS
Allahabad High Court
- Ashish Sharma And Another vs State Of U.P. And Others [Criminal Misc. Application No. Nil of 2011] | Download Judgment | Read Analysis
- Natthu vs State Of U.P. [CAPITAL CASE No. – 3191 of 2012] | Download Judgment | Read Analysis
- Mohd. Imran vs State Of U.P. [AIRONLINE 2021 ALL 314] | Download Judgment | Read Analysis
- Kundan Lal vs State Of U.P. [CRIMINAL MISC. BAIL APPLICATION No. – 31421 of 2010] | Download Judgment | Read Analysis
- Pooja And Another vs State Of U.P. [WRIT – C No. – 27924 of 2019] | Download Judgment | Read Analysis
Telangana High Court
- Ardham Ranjith Reddy vs The State Of Telangana [CRIMINAL PETITION Nos.5819, 5939, 5961, 6095 & 6097 OF 2020] | Download Judgment | Read Analysis
- Yellu Swapna vs The State Of Telangana [CRIMINAL PETITION Nos.5819, 5939, 5961, 6095 & 6097 OF 2020] | Download Judgment | Read Analysis
Gujarat High Court
- Laxmanbhai Babarbhai Rabari vs State Of Gujarat [R/SPECIAL CRIMINAL APPLICATION NO. 10766 of 2021] | Download Judgment | Read Analysis
- Thakor Devrajbhai Ramanbhai vs State Of Gujarat [R/SPECIAL CRIMINAL APPLICATION NO. 2482 of 2022] | Download Judgment | Read Analysis
- Nayi Kaushalkumar Kanubhai vs State Of Gujarat [R/SPECIAL CRIMINAL APPLICATION NO. 3574 of 2019] | Download Judgment | Read Analysis
- Shivprasad Mulshankar Jani vs Sureshbhai Mayaram Sadhu [SPECIAL CRIMINAL APPLICATION (HABEAS CORPUS) NO. 1443 of 2014] | Download Judgment | Read Analysis
Bombay High Court
- Digambar S/O. Baburao Dasre vs The State Of Maharashtra [CONFIRMATION CASE NO. 01 OF 2019] | Download Judgment | Read Analysis
- The State Of Maharashtra vs Eknath Kisan Kumbharkar [AIRONLINE 2019 BOM 1699] | Download Judgment | Read Analysis
Punjab & Haryana High Court
- Sanjay vs. State of Haryana [Crl.Appeal No.578-DB of 2005] | Download Judgment | Read Analysis
- Ravi Kumar vs State Of Haryana [CRM-M-23805-2020] | Download Judgment | Read Analysis
- Manmeet Singh vs State Of Haryana And Ors [Civil Writ Petition No.26734 of 2014] | Download Judgment | Read Analysis
- Gurdev Singh Son Of Rattan Singh … vs State Of Haryana [Murder reference No.2 of 2010] Download Judgment | Read Analysis
- Kanwaljeet Kaur And Anr vs State Of Punjab [CRM-M-21834-2018] Download Judgment | Read Analysis
- Seema Kaur And Anr vs State Of Punjab [CRWP No. 4725 of 2021] Download Judgment | Read Analysis
- Divya vs State Of Punjab And Others [AIRONLINE 2020 P AND H 876] Download Judgment | Read Analysis
- State Of Punjab vs Resham Singh And Others [Murder Reference No.8 of 2011] Download Judgment | Read Analysis
IMPORTANT LINKS
NATIONAL HELPLINE NUMBERS
- National Commission for Women (NCW) Helpline: Call 7827170170
- Women Helpline 181: Call 181
- Central Social Welfare Board – Police Helpline: Call 1091/ 1291, or (011) 23317004
- Shakti Shalini: Call 10920
