What is shocking is that for women who are fifteen years of age or older, the law in India does not recognize marital rape as an offence. In the case of forcible sex, the most a wife can do is sue for divorce on the ground of cruelty. This ground is not available to Christian women under the Indian Divorce Act. Christian women can divorce if they prove two grounds - adultery and one other ground. Christian men can obtain a divorce if they prove just one ground.
Muslim men can divorce by simply pronouncing triple talak and can have up to four wives.
Though the Child Marriage Restraint Act outlaws child marriage, the Act is often rendered ineffective. Various marriage laws allow minors to be married with the consent of their parents or guardians. Except in the state of Goa, there is no law governing the distribution of matrimonial property. Women are dependent on their husbands for maintenance. As a result, even in a case of marital discord involving cruelty, divorce is usually the last option and women continue to suffer in the confines of disastrous and even deadly marriages.