SC may issue sensitivity norms for courts in sexual assault cases

THE BENCH EXPRESSED ANGER OVER THE LACK OF SENSITIVITY DISPLAYED BY COURTS IN SEXUAL ASSAULT CASES

- Utkarsh Anand

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to consider framing comprehensive guidelines for courts across the country on the sensitive handling of cases involving sexual assault victims, calling "unfortunate" a March 17 judgment of the Allahabad high court that had ruled that grabbing a minor girl's breasts, breaking the string of her pyjama and dragging her under a culvert did not amount to an attempt to rape.

Continuing the suspension of that ruling, a bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant expressed anguish over the lack of sensitivity displayed in judicial pronouncements in cases involving sexual offences.

"Our concern is that at the level of the high court, the degree of sensitivity which we are required to observe is missing ...we are inclined to issue comprehensive guidelines," said the bench, also comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi as the matter came up for hearing.