SC flays HC remarks on attempt to rape case

THE Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the registry of the Allahabad High Court to redact the name of the complainant, a mother, in the records in the case of an alleged rape attempt against a minor in which the high court made controversial observations.

- SUCHITRA KALYAN MOHANTY @ New Delhi

The HC, in its order on March 17, had observed that acts of grabbing a child victim's breasts and breaking the string of her pyjamas did not constitute the offence of rape or attempt to rape.

When the case came up for hearing on Wednesday before a two-judge bench of Justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih, senior lawyer H S Phoolka, appearing for Just Rights for Children Alliance, sought the plea to be tagged with the suo motu proceedings, which would be heard on April 15.