Shreya Gupta
The Supreme Court of India has granted the Central Government six more weeks to respond to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the Supreme Court Women Lawyers Association (SCWLA), which seeks extensive reforms to address rising sexual crimes and ensure the safety of women, children, and transgender persons. During the hearing, the Supreme Court mentioned that the Karnataka Federation of Women Lawyers had recently advocated for 33% reservation for women advocates in the Advocates Association of Bengaluru (AAB). The Court suggested that the counsel for the petitioner should seek input from such organizations as part of the broader consultation process to gather diverse suggestions and viewpoints on the issues raised in the PIL.
The PIL proposes introducing chemical castration as a punishment for heinous sexual offences like rape, arguing that current penalties are insufficient deterrents and that this measure would help prevent repeat offences. It also calls for a “no bail” rule for sexual offenders, banning online pornography and obscene content on OTT platforms (which it claims contribute to such crimes), mandatory CCTV installation in workplaces to prevent harassment, and fast-tracking trials in rape and sexual harassment cases.
Furthermore, it seeks a prohibition on legislators accused of crimes against women from contesting elections until acquitted. The Court emphasized the need for consultations beyond Delhi to include diverse perspectives.
Senior Advocate Mahalakshmi Pavani, representing SCWLA, acknowledged that while India has stringent laws to punish such crimes, their implementation has been lacking, necessitating legal and judicial intervention. This PIL, first heard on December 16, 2024, underscores the need for systemic reforms to create safer environments and stricter accountability mechanisms, and the government’s response is awaited within the next six weeks.
Case Title: Supreme Court Women’s Lawyer Association v. Union Of India
Case Number: W.P.(Crl.) No. 526/2024
Bench: Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh