SC Raps HC Judge's 'Invited Trouble' Remark in Rape Case

TAKING exception to an Allahabad High Court judge's recent remarks in a rape case that the rape survivor herself "invited trouble", the Supreme Court on Tuesday cautioned judges against making such inappropriate observations against the complainant.

- Suchitra Kalyan Mohanty @ New Delhi

The apex court made the remarks while hearing a suo motu cognizance case initiated by it in a different matter in which the Allahabad HC had on March 17 held that acts of grabbing a child victim's breasts, breaking the string of her pyjama did not constitute the offence of rape or attempt to rape.

A two-judge bench of the top court, comprising Justice BR Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih, observed that it was the judges' discretion to grant bail to the accused keeping in view the facts and circumstances of each case, but cautioned them against "unwarranted observations or remarks" against the complainant.