38.6c New Delhi, India, Thursday, November 14, 2024
Top Stories Supreme Court
Political NEWS Legislative Corner Celebstreet International Videos
Subscribe Contact Us
close
Legal Insiders

A Woman CJI Has Never Been There; Greater Presence of Women in the Judiciary Would Help Balance the Approach in Cases of Sexual Violence: AG KK Venugopal

By Atharwa Gauraha      03 December, 2020 06:17 PM      0 Comments
Venugopal Sexual Violence

Attorney General K.K. Venugopal told the Supreme Court that having more female judges at all levels of the judiciary might be more empathetic in sexual violence situations. While arguing its case, the AG referred to the fact that India's Chief Justice has never been a woman, and that the Supreme Court currently has only two female judges.

Venugopal also said, Improving the representation of women in the judiciary could also go a long way towards a more balanced and empathetic approach in cases involving sexual violence. For instance, this Court (SC) only has 2 women judges, as against a sanctioned strength of 34 judges. There has never been a female Chief Justice of India.

In July of this year when the judge asked the accused to make the victim tie a rakhi on him the AG replied to a petition challenging the bail conditions imposed by the Madhya Pradesh high court. As The Wire reported them, the court also asked the man to give Rs 11,000 to the woman on the occasion of rakhi, tender Rs 5,000 to the victim's son for the purchase of clothes and sweet and seek her blessings as part of a customary offer offered by brothers to sisters.

This order, along with a few other high court orders, had been criticized by nine Supreme Court lawyers, led by lawyer Aparna Bhat, for claiming that the judiciary had no empathic approach when it came to cases of sexual harassment. "...there is a strong probability that such observations and guidance may lead to the normalization of what is essentially a crime and has been recognized by law to be so," said their petition to the Supreme Court.

Justice A.M. Khanwilkar, while noting that the MP high court order had already been complied with, asked what could be done to avoid such occurrences in the future. It is on that notice that the AG gave his suggestion.

According to a report, Four recommendations were made by Venugopal: to gather data on the number of female judges in the lower courts; to gather data on female judges in the courts; to decide the number of senior judges appointed by all the high courts, year-wise; and to ensure greater representation of women at all levels of the judiciary, including the Supreme Court.

In addition, the AG also suggested that the judiciary create guidelines on the granting of bail and anticipatory bail, to ensure that the courts use only permissible terms and conditions, and to raise the consciousness of gender throughout the judiciary, where the judges learn to position themselves in the victim's shows.



Share this article:



Leave a feedback about this
TRENDING NEWS

amendments-during-extension-of-parliament
Trending Know The Law
Amendments during extension of Parliament

Can Parliament amend the Constitution during emergency extensions? Analyzing the limits of constituent powers and democratic implications. - By Nitin Upadhyay

14 November, 2024 12:54 PM
sc-lays-down-guidelines-against-arbitrary-bulldozer-actions
Trending Judiciary
SC lays down guidelines against arbitrary bulldozer actions [Read Judgment]

SC issues guidelines against arbitrary bulldozer actions, affirming due process and citizens’ rights, ensuring notice and accountability for state demolitions.

14 November, 2024 01:49 PM

TOP STORIES

minority-institutions-can-be-set-up-by-statute-administered-independently-sc-overrules-1967-azeez-basha-verdict
Trending Judiciary
Minority Institutions can be set up by Statute, administered independently; SC overrules 1967 Azeez Basha Verdict

Supreme Court rules minority institutions can be established by statute without minority administration, sending AMU’s minority status for further review.

08 November, 2024 01:21 PM
cji-dy-chandrachuds-last-working-day-what-do-chief-justices-do-after-term-ends
Trending Legal Insiders
CJI DY Chandrachud’s last working day: What do Chief Justices do after term ends

What awaits Chief Justice DY Chandrachud post-retirement on Nov 10? Discover the roles and restrictions for former CJIs after leaving India’s top court.

08 November, 2024 03:30 PM
justice-sanjiv-khanna-sworn-in-as-51st-cji-to-retire-on-may-13-2025
Trending Legal Insiders
Justice Sanjiv Khanna sworn in as 51st CJI; to retire on May 13, 2025

Justice Sanjiv Khanna sworn in as the 51st Chief Justice of India by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhawan. Tenure lasts until May 13, 2025.

11 November, 2024 10:34 AM
you-are-so-powerful-sc-dismisses-bail-plea-by-suspended-former-jd-s-mp-prajwal-revanna-against-denial-of-bail-by-hc
Trending Judiciary
‘You are so powerful’, SC dismisses bail plea by suspended former JD-S MP Prajwal Revanna against denial of bail by HC

SC dismisses former MP Prajwal Revanna’s bail plea, noting “You are so powerful,” in sexual assault case after Karnataka HC denial.

11 November, 2024 01:18 PM

ADVERTISEMENT


Join Group

Signup for Our Newsletter

Get Exclusive access to members only content by email