The Sarv Khap Panchayat has denied allegations of promoting "honour killings" but at the same time said it had reservation qua "same gotra marriage" and has already sought amendment in the Hindu Marriage Act to bar such weddings.
In an affidavit filed before the Supreme Court, the Sarvjatiya Sarv Khap Panchayat said the body has been assisting the judicial system by taking decisions for the poor and underprivileged that are totally handicapped and can't approach courts.
The SC is hearing a PIL moved by NGO Shakti Vahini against rampant honour killing in the northern parts of India.
Filed by advocate Jasbir Singh Malik, the affidavit pointed out that Khap Panchayat had settled lakhs of cases for those who were either ignorant about law or were unable to go to court.
It added Khap Panchayat's decisions were like out-of-court justice akin to lok adalats.
It condemned the ban or fatwa on girls carrying jeans and asking them not to wear jeans.