Now, adultery no longer a criminal offence anymore, SC strikes down Section 497 of IPC. Batting for gender equality, the Supreme Court today struck down Indian Penal Code Section 497, which criminalised adultery. The Supreme Court narrated that the law making adultery an offence was archaic, discriminated against women and a clear violation of the fundamental rights. Five judges of the Supreme Court were unanimous in ruling that the adultery law was unconstitutional and deserved to go.