Adultery: meanings and interpretations as professional misconduct, civil and criminal offence in India.

ABSTRACT

Forensic medicine teachers taught topic of ‘adultery’ to medical students as one of the sexual offences, medicolegal aspect of marriage, and as professional misconduct, which is part of medical ethics. The question is of safeguarding / protecting socio-ethical value of our society and honour of medical profession. Section 497 IPC came into existence during the British Rule. It is said that it is against Indian cultural values and not much less than a slander. Therefore, in independent India it is totally unfair to allow continuing Section 497 IPC in its present form. This paper deals with definition, meanings and interpretations of the term ‘adultery’ used in different context in medical profession so that clear concept can be understood by every member of medical fraternity. Thus, help in preventing unnecessary problems faced by doctors in day to day practice.