Supreme Court Slams Allahabad HC for “Insensitive” Remarks on Crimes Against Women
(Judicial Quest News Network)
New Delhi: 15, April- The Supreme Court on Tuesday strongly criticized the Allahabad High Court for what it described as “insensitive” and inappropriate remarks in judgments related to crimes against women and children. The apex court expressed serious concern over the repeated use of judicial abbreviations and questionable observations in sensitive cases.
The criticism came during a suo motu hearing of an order passed by Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra of the Allahabad High Court on March 17. The order controversially held that breaking the pyjama string of a minor girl did not amount to attempted rape or murder. Instead, it suggested that the charges could be downgraded to outraging modesty or sexual assault.
Another judge from the same court, Justice Sanjay Kumar Singh, had granted bail to a rape accused while suggesting the survivor may have been partly responsible for what occurred—remarks that the Supreme Court found deeply troubling.
“What is happening in this High Court?” asked Justice B.R. Gavai, who was heading the bench alongside Justice Sandeep Mehta. “We have to be very careful with these cases, which are extremely sensitive.”
“Justice must not only be done, but must also be seen to be done,” observed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, assisting the top court in the matter. “What message does this send to the common man?”
The bench noted that not all parties had been served with necessary pleadings and adjourned the hearing for now.
According to the prosecution, the March 17 case involved two men who allegedly gave a minor girl a ride on their motorcycle, groped her, broke the string of her pyjama, and attempted to drag her beneath a culvert before being stopped by passersby. The Supreme Court had earlier stayed the High Court’s order in late March.
