State, Society and the Scales of Justice: The Judiciary’s Role in Combating Honour Killings

Abstract

Honour killings, often rooted in patriarchal customs and societal expectations, remain a grave violation of human rights in many parts of the world. Despite being legally classified as homicide, such crimes are frequently normalized within communities under the guise of preserving family or communal "honour." This research paper critically examines the judiciary's role in addressing and combating honour killings, focusing on how courts interpret, enforce, and sometimes challenge prevailing socio-cultural norms. By analyzing landmark judgments, statutory provisions, and judicial trends, the study explores whether the judiciary acts merely as an interpreter of law or as a transformative institution capable of confronting deeply embedded social practices. It further investigates the tension between cultural relativism and constitutional values such as equality, life, and dignity. The paper argues for a more proactive, rights-based judicial approach to honour killings, highlighting the need for consistency, sensitivity, and systemic reform in legal responses. Ultimately, it calls for a collaborative framework involving the state, judiciary, and civil society to ensure that justice is not only delivered but also seen to challenge the structural roots of honour-based violence.