A Bench of Justices Aftab Alam and Ranjana Prakash Desai said such diktates are against the fundamental right to life and asked Khap Panchayats (caste-based councils) to file their replies on the issue.

"It (such diktat) also violates the law. How can someone ask others not to carry mobile?," the bench asked when the Centre told it that such orders are being passed by them against women.

Leaders of various Khap Panchayats of Utter Pradesh and Haryana today appeared before the apex court in response to its invitation, extended during its last hearing to them to express their views. They told the court that "very distorted facts" have been projected about them in the court.

Top police officers from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana also appeared before the apex court and submitted that although Khaps issued some socially retrograde resolutions but they were never directly involved in 'honour killings.'

Additional director generals of police (law and order) of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh said Khaps also play positive roles at times like passing resolution against foeticide.