File photo: Supreme Court of India NEW DELHI: Supreme Court has taken exception to the recent order of Patna high court that removing a woman’s salwar and pressing her breasts do not constitute attempt to rape.Patna high court had held that the acts amounted to the offence of outraging a woman’s modesty and quashed a man’s conviction for attempt to rape.The matter was raised before a CJI Surya Kant-led bench by senior lawyer Shobha Gupta, who said such objectionable orders were being passed regularly.Taking note of the high court order passed on July 9, the bench expressed serious concern and said that judges should conduct research and take note of apex court rulings.”It is directed that all courts shall follow the expression contained in the handbook. States to issue instructions to all police stations to follow handbooks while registering FIR and filing chargesheet. We will upload a reasoned judgement also,” the bench said, while approving a report prepared by National Judicial Academy’s expert committee which contains guidelines on judicial sensitivity in sexual offence cases.Supreme Court has been expressing concerns over observations by judges and taken suo motu cognisance in two cases. Last year, Allahabad high court ruled that grabbing a child’s breasts, breaking the drawstrings of her pajamas and attempting to drag her beneath a culvert do not constitute the offence of rape or attempt to rape. In another case, Allahabad high court, while granting bail to an accused in a rape case, said the complainant had “herself invited trouble” by agreeing to go to the applicant’s house after getting drunk.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBageshwar Baba Dhirendra Shastri’s Brother Arrested For Firing At Farmer In Madhya Pradesh’Abhishek Has Done No Wrong’: Mamata Banerjee Defends Nephew Amid TMC Rebellion“Party Is Sinking”: Mamata’s Loyalist Crosses Over To Ritabrata Camp; TMC Crack Deepens’Serious Risk’ To India’s Largest Nuclear Plant Kudankulam After Files Leaked On Dark Web: ReportRahul Gandhi Steps In As Punjab Congress Infighting Threatens 2027 Election PreparationsExplained: Why PM Modi’s July 17 Punjab Visit Is Politically Crucial Ahead Of Assembly ElectionsHigh Profile Political Meeting Rekindle Talk Of NCP Unity In Maharashtra; Patil Denies BuzzKGMU Bars Cooking Of Non-Veg Food In Hostels After Governor Flags Issue At ConvocationIndia-UK FTA: What Gets Cheaper, How Exporters Benefit And Why The Deal MattersTMC Rift Deepens As Kalyan Banerjee Launches Fresh Attack On Abhishek And I-PAC123Photostories5 long-haired dog breeds that win hearts with their looks and personalityLooking for better health? Repeat these 10 powerful affirmations every dayWorld’s 10 most peaceful countries in 2026: Safe, scenic and travel-friendlyEye doctor reveals the 7 everyday habits they never skip to protect their vision, and why these simple daily choices matter9 Vastu Tips to Attract Love into Your LifeWhy the Adhar Pana prasad of Jagannath Rath Yatra is spilled on the floor and humans are forbidden to consume itYoung, slim, and feeling perfectly fine? Why more Indians are being diagnosed with prediabetes without any warning signsThese 5 giant pet cats are so big, people mistake them for wild animals10 baby girl names inspired by Japanese seasons and cherry blossom traditions“Send your child far away…”: Acharya Prashant says this one parenting decision can help children grow into independent adults123Hot PicksNBA Trade RumorsHow to Watch FIFA World CupMichael JordanKylian MbappeBengaluru ProfessorCarol RuckdeschelRussia Saction BillNBA tradeMinecraft Bedrock 26.40.31 BetaTop TrendingIND U19 vs SL U19Prashant KishorFIFA World Cup 2026Nitin GadkariBengaluru Student SuicideTwisha Sharma Murder CaseLeo CarlssonTaslima NasrinGujarat RapeIran war
NEW DELHI: Supreme Court has taken exception to the recent order of Patna high court that removing a woman’s salwar and pressing her breasts do not constitute attempt to rape.Patna high court had held that the acts amounted to the offence of outraging a woman’s modesty and quashed a man’s conviction for attempt to rape.The matter was raised before a CJI Surya Kant-led bench by senior lawyer Shobha Gupta, who said such objectionable orders were being passed regularly.Taking note of the high court order passed on July 9, the bench expressed serious concern and said that judges should conduct research and take note of apex court rulings.“It is directed that all courts shall follow the expression contained in the handbook. States to issue instructions to all police stations to follow handbooks while registering FIR and filing chargesheet. We will upload a reasoned judgement also,” the bench said, while approving a report prepared by National Judicial Academy’s expert committee which contains guidelines on judicial sensitivity in sexual offence cases.Supreme Court has been expressing concerns over observations by judges and taken suo motu cognisance in two cases. Last year, Allahabad high court ruled that grabbing a child’s breasts, breaking the drawstrings of her pajamas and attempting to drag her beneath a culvert do not constitute the offence of rape or attempt to rape. In another case, Allahabad high court, while granting bail to an accused in a rape case, said the complainant had “herself invited trouble” by agreeing to go to the applicant’s house after getting drunk.
