The bench said it was only the woman who can decide about her religious identity by exercising her right to choice.
The judgment was reserved after a marathon hearing which went on for 38 days spanning four months.
The bench asked senior advocate Shyam Divan, representing the father of the woman, to ensure that she is produced that day for interaction with the bench, which is likely to ascertain her mental stage and whether she had given free consent to the marriage.
The top court also observed that it cannot be assumed that if a person does not stand up for the national anthem, then he is 'less patriotic'.
The apex court struck down Section 497 of the Indian Penal Code dealing with the offence stating it was archaic and violative of right to equality.
A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra reserved its verdict on a plea seeking recognition of 'living will' made by a terminally-ill patient for passive euthanasia.
The apex court also forthwith restrained him from undertaking judicial and administrative work.
While the ruling party alleged an "invisible hand" behind the petitions, the opposition accused it of making "false political capital" by "misinterpreting" the apex court order.
Senior counsel, Diwedi submitted that technology is advancing and we have limitations of understanding the technological developments.
According to the chargesheets filed by the crime branch, the abduction, rape and killing of the Bakerwal girl was part of a carefully planned strategy to remove the minority nomadic community from the area.
"Every criminal investigation is based on allegations and we have to see whether there is some material," the court said.
The court ordered a probe into the role of Kerala police officers involved in arrest of Nambi Narayanan.
The SC in its judgment said that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is a violation of Freedom of Expression. "Sexual orientation of an individual is natural and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is a violation of Freedom of Expression, Supreme Court," the court said.
Highlighting the pendency of cases in various courts of the country, he said Indian legal system is marked by long delays and some of the reasons for it are infrastructure gaps and considerable vacancies, particularly in subordinate courts.
The top court issued notices to Union ministries of law and justice and minority affairs as well as the National Commission of Women after taking note of the plea of Delhi-based woman Nafisa Khan challenging the practice of polygamy and 'nikah halala', and said that the matter will be taken up a five-judge Constitution bench.
The Supreme Court on Thursday virtually paved the way for government formation in Arunachal Pradesh by vacating its order on maintenance of status quo.
The apex court questioning the police about the arrests said that 'dissent is the safety valve of democracy and if you don't allow these safety valves, it will burst.'
The Aadhaar issuing authority, Unique Identification Authority Of India, has no data on those who have been denied benefits for want of the 12-digit biometric identification number, the Supreme Court was informed on Thursday.
The Supreme Court asked on Friday as it said it would examine the issue of entry ban on women of menstrual age in the historic Sabarimala temple on the basis of constitutional parameters.
The Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid title dispute case, the Sebi-Sahara payment row, the Aadhaar privacy issue and the Cauvery water dispute are only some of the legal puzzles he will have to deal with.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued show cause notice to Board of Control for Cricket in India's acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary to explain why its order on the Justice Rajendra Mal Lodha committee recommendations has not be implemented so far.
The bench said, "He is an Army officer not an ordinary criminal. You have to see the matter in a holistic way".
Kapil Sibal listed out legal questions, including the governor's power to convene the assembly session without aid and advice of the government, for adjudication by a five-judge constitution bench headed by Justice J S Khehar.
The apex court told Roy that his proposal of paying Rs 1,500 crore, if the auction process was halted or postponed, was unbelievable.
In a bid to "instil committed patriotism and nationalism", the Supreme Court today ordered cinema halls across the nation to mandatorily play the National Anthem before screening of a movie and the audience must stand and show respect.
The SC asked Gujarat Congress 'why is it so late in raising question over the use of NOTA'.
A bench of Justices Dipak Misra and Amitava Roy said it failed to understand as to how such groups could be formed to eliminate stray dogs when there is a law to deal with the issue.
A five judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra was apparently not in agreement with the argument of the Travancore Devaswom Board running the over 800-year-old Lord Ayyappa temple that the "practice and belief" that have continued uninterrupted cannot be tested on the ground of "modern ethos".
Sending a strong message that people against whom criminal and corruption charges have been framed be not inducted as ministers, the Supreme Court on Wednesday said the prime minister and chief ministers should desist from making such appointments and act in "national interest".
The bench also said it would examine the Fundamental Right to life and sexual freedom.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday retained its direction to Karnataka to release 2000 cusecs of Cauvery water per day to Tamil Nadu till further orders.
The Delhi government also explored legal options, including filing contempt petition, against those who refused to comply with the directive, an official said.
The apex court modified its November 30, 2016, order by which it had made playing of the anthem mandatory in cinema halls before the screening of a film.
CM Siddaramaiah has called legislature session on September 23 to discuss the SC's direction.
The apex court directed Supertech to pay 10 per cent per month of the invested amount from January 5, 2015 to 17 home buyers, who are before the court, within four weeks
The court framed several constitutional questions including whether a person, holding public office, can give a statement which may create "distrust" in the minds of the victims about a fair probe in the case
Having declared democracy in danger at a famous press conference in January, the newly sworn-in chief justice's stint of 1 year and 44 days will be keenly watched for what he does to defend this ideal
Magistrates cannot ask the police to investigate a private criminal defamation complaint as it is the complainant who needs to prove the case, the Supreme Court on Wednesday said.
A key argument against the Aadhaar scheme was that it was violative of the nine-judge bench verdict that had held that Right to Privacy is a fundamental right under the Constitution.
The apex court said that there was a need for a law to prevent persons with serious criminal cases pending against them from entering the legislature and be a part of lawmaking.
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