Incest has become rampant in Indian society. It is a crime that threatens the fabric of family life among people to whom nothing is more sacred than the family. It is a highly sensitive subject. It was always kept in the dark among middle and upper class people until recently when the increase in the number of cases and the awareness of women to say “no” to all forms of abuse served as an eye opener to the horror that destroys numerous families across the nation. The cases of sexual abuse of child by family members are not confined to novels and story books. It does not take place only in the slums or institutions. It is not the preserve of criminals or mentally deranged persons. It can and does occur overtly or covertly in educated, well to do, socially mature families also. The main object of this paper is to discuss the meaning of incest, the reasons for growing incestuous behaviour and to suggest measures to eradicate this evil. Incest ....