Supreme Court Stays Allahabad High Court’s Controversial Ruling on Sexual Assault Definition

The Supreme Court has put on hold the Allahabad High Court’s judgment that “grabbing breasts” and “breaking pyjama strings” don’t constitute rape or attempt at rape. Terming the order insensitive and legally wrong, the highest court has asked responses from the Centre and Uttar Pradesh government.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday put on hold a contentious order by the Allahabad High Court holding that “grabbing breasts“ and “puncturing the strings of a girl‘s pyjamas“ are not rape or attempt to rape. The judgment, which had led to nationwide outrage, was undertaken suo motu by the apex court, which labeled it as a glaring exhibition of insensitivity and judicial misinterpretation.

SC Slams ‘Lack of Sensitivity‘ in Judgment

A bench of Justices BR Gavai and Augustine George Masih observed that the verdict was no offhand utterance but was arrived at after four months‘ reservation of judgment, suggesting it was a calculated decision rather than a spontaneous reaction.

“We are at pains to say that it reflects a complete lack of sensitivity on the part of the author of the judgment. It was not even in the heat of the moment and was pronounced four months after reserving the same. Therefore, there was an application of mind,” the Supreme Court noted.

Immediate Stay on Controversial Observations

The Supreme Court, referring to the judicial irregularity in the verdict, pointed out that some remarks entered in paragraphs 21, 24, and 26 of the High Court‘s judgment were “unheard of to the canons of law” and showed an “inhuman mindset.” It hence resolved to put these remarks into stay forthwith.

“We are generally reluctant to order a stay at this point. But as these remarks go against legal principles and common human decency, we have to step in,” the court observed.

Centre, UP Government Asked to Respond

Noting the issue seriously, the Supreme Court sent notices to the Union government, the Uttar Pradesh government, and all concerned in the High Court case. The Attorney General and Solicitor General were also ordered to be present to aid in the case.

What the Allahabad High Court Ruled

The much-debated judgment was based on a case involving two men, Pawan and Akash, who were accused of molestation of an 11-year-old girl by fondling her breasts, tearing the strings of her pyjamas, and trying to pull her under a culvert.

Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra in the Allahabad High Court declared that grabbing a girl’s breasts wasn’t a rape but belonged to the class of “assault or use of criminal force with intent to disrobe.” The accused had to be prosecuted under Sections 9/10 of the POCSO Act dealing with aggravated sexual assault and drawing lower punishment than the one for rape charges.

Outrage and Legal Consequences

The Allahabad High Court ruling generated strong criticism from legal professionals, women‘s rights campaigners, and the general public, who maintained that such readings erode the seriousness of sexual violence. The Supreme Court‘s action indicates the possibility of the case being reconsidered, and it could have implications for courts interpreting sexual assault laws in India beyond this specific case.

As the case continues, lawyers and activists look forward to the next move in what may be a landmark judgment on child protection and sexual violence legislation in the nation.