Apex Court Condemns Alarming Frequency of Sexual Crimes Against Women
(Syed Ali Taher Abedi)
Delhi 22, July,2025-on July 21st, the Supreme Court of India expressed grave concern over the alarming rise in cases of violence against women, including harrowing incidents where women have been burned alive. The bench, comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, remarked during the hearing that it feels “ashamed” to witness such repeated and horrific acts of brutality against women across the country.
The court was hearing two separate but related petitions that highlight the urgent need for systemic reform to protect women from sexual violence and improve the implementation of existing legal safeguards.
The more comprehensive petition was filed by the Supreme Court Women Lawyers Association (SCWLA), represented by Senior Advocate Mahalaxmi Pavani. Filed by A-o-R Filza Moonis This petition seeks the issuance of nation-wide safety reforms and protective measures for women. The SCWLA also proposed bold legal changes, including the introduction of mandatory chemical castration for sexual offenders upon arrest, followed immediately by the administration of a polygraph (lie detector) test to aid investigation.
During the hearing, Advocate Pavani brought to the court’s attention a particularly disturbing incident that occurred just a day prior, in which a young girl was burned alive. Justice Kant acknowledged this incident with deep concern, reaffirming that the court is fully aware of and distressed by the rising tide of gender-based violence in the country.
However, the court was unable to proceed further with the hearing as the counter-affidavit from the Union Government had not yet been submitted or recorded. The matter has been adjourned and is scheduled to be heard again on Thursday.
In the meantime, Justice Kant advised Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati that the Union Government must not view this litigation as adversarial but rather as an opportunity to collaboratively find both immediate and long-term solutions. He stressed the importance of issuing comprehensive, actionable directives that can create tangible impact, particularly for women in rural and remote areas who often lack access to justice and legal awareness.
“Publicity alone may not help them,” Justice Kant observed. “Let’s accept these ground realities. What is the minimum standard of justice they deserve?”
He lamented the reactive nature of policy reforms, stating that it is only when a tragedy occurs that society rushes to find solutions. “This is what is inherently wrong with the system,” he noted.
As a possible solution, Justice Kant proposed the appointment of educated individuals in villages to serve as paralegal workers. He suggested that this would bridge the accessibility gap and enhance grassroots-level justice delivery. Referring to the existing reservation policy for women in Panchayat elections, he questioned, “If women can serve as Sarpanch, why can’t they also take up the role of paralegal workers?”
The writ petition also highlighted that, despite significant amendments to rape laws following the recommendations of the 2013 Justice Verma Committee, brutal cases such as the Unnao rape, Kathua rape, and Hathras gang rape have continued to occur with disturbing frequency.
The petitioners urged the Court to invoke the doctrine of parens patriae—a principle where the state acts as a guardian for those unable to care for themselves—to protect the fundamental rights of women, children, and members of the third gender. They argued that, although Parliament has enacted stringent laws, implementation is often thwarted by institutional apathy, corruption, and inefficiency within law enforcement and administrative systems. This, in turn, creates an environment where criminals feel emboldened and unafraid of consequences.
The petition calls on the Court to take judicial notice of these systemic failures and to frame strict, time-bound guidelines to ensure effective and accountable enforcement of women’s safety laws.
