In the wake of immense criticism from ladies activists, together with CPI (M) politburo member Brinda Karat, the Supreme Court on Monday clarified its “will you marry her?” comment made throughout a rape case listening to final week and stated it’s an establishment that has the “highest respect” for girls.
Asserting the feedback he made have been utterly “misreported” to indicate disrespect for girls, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sharad Arvind Bobde stated the apex court docket had at all times accorded the “highest respect to womanhood” and added the judiciary’s fame was within the palms of its attorneys, the “Bar”.
Echoing related sentiments, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta additionally stated the Supreme Court had requested the query in a unique context.
The apex court docket’s remark got here as Brinda Karat had earlier written to the Chief Justice of India urging him to withdraw his remarks made throughout the listening to of a case the place he requested a rape accused if he was keen to marry the sufferer.
Stating these questions, phrases and actions have severe implications in granting of bail in instances of rape of minors, the CPI (M) chief in her letter stated the courts mustn’t give an impression of supporting such “retrograde” approaches.
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Earlier on March 1, the apex court docket requested a authorities servant, accused of repeatedly raping a minor, whether or not he would marry the sufferer. This got here because the apex court docket heard an attraction in opposition to a verdict of the Bombay High Court’s Aurangabad Bench by which an order of the Sessions Court granting the petitioner anticipatory bail was put aside.
The Chief Justice of India, who heard this matter, requested “Will you marry her?” The petitioner’s counsel replied stating “I will take instructions”.
The Chief Justice of India responded “You should have thought before seducing and raping the young girl. You knew you are a government servant.”
“We are not forcing you to marry. Let us know if you will. Otherwise, you will say we are forcing you to marry her,” he added.
The petitioner’s counsel replied, “I wanted to marry her. But she refused. Now I cannot, as I am already married. The trial is going on, charges are yet to be framed.”
The apex court docket stayed the petitioner’s arrest and granted him interim safety for 4 weeks. The petitioner was, nevertheless, requested to use for normal bail.
