Over 2,600 activists, groups demand judicial accountability after High Court’s controversial POCSO order

By A Representative

More than 2,600 activists, academics, lawyers, journalists, artists, and citizens across India have written to the Chief Justice of India (CJI) expressing concern over a March 17, 2025, revisional order (No. 1449/2024) by the Allahabad High Court in a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The collective, led by the coalition Feminists for Judicial Accountability, criticized the order as emblematic of institutionalized misogyny and called for systemic reforms to ensure gender-sensitive judicial processes.

The letter acknowledged the Supreme Court’s recent suo motu (self-initiated) intervention, which termed the High Court’s order “totally insensitive, inhuman,” and “unknown to the tenets of law.” However, it emphasized that such rulings reflect a broader pattern of patriarchal bias within legal institutions, urging the judiciary to address systemic failures in handling sexual violence cases.

Highlighting a “disturbing trend” of shielding perpetrators of crimes against marginalized groups, particularly women and survivors of domestic, sexual, or communal violence, the signatories warned that such rulings risk normalizing injustice. “This judgment is a striking example of such a trend and is likely to strengthen an unfortunate and unfair dynamic,” the letter stated.

Key demands include:

1. Mandatory gender-sensitivity training for judges on sexual violence and survivor trauma.

2. Restricting judges with demonstrated patriarchal biases from presiding over sexual crime cases.

The letter has garnered support from prominent civil society groups, including the People’s Union of Civil Liberties, All India Democratic Women’s Association, Saheli Women’s Resource Centre, and Sruti Disability Rights, among others. Notable endorsers include social activists Aruna Roy, Syeda Hameed, and academic Uma Chakravarti.

Feminists for Judicial Accountability, a national coalition behind the campaign, announced plans to pursue long-term advocacy for judicial accountability, stressing the need for structural changes to ensure equitable justice.

The Supreme Court is yet to formally respond to the letter.

Background

- The POCSO Act, enacted in 2012, criminalizes sexual offenses against individuals under 18.

- *Suo motu* cognizance allows courts to independently address issues without a formal petition.

Comments

Advocacy group decries 'hyper-centralization' as States’ share of health funds plummets

By A Representative In a major pre-budget mobilization, the Jan Swasthya Abhiyan (JSA), India’s leading public health advocacy network, has issued a sharp critique of the Union government’s health spending and demanded a doubling of the health budget for the upcoming 2026-27 fiscal year.

Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar’s views on religion as Tagore’s saw them

By Harasankar Adhikari Religion has become a visible subject in India’s public discourse, particularly where it intersects with political debate. Recent events, including a mass Gita chanting programme in Kolkata and other incidents involving public expressions of faith, have drawn attention to how religion features in everyday life. These developments have raised questions about the relationship between modern technological progress and traditional religious practice.

Stands 'exposed': Cavalier attitude towards rushed construction of Char Dham project

By Bharat Dogra* The nation heaved a big sigh of relief when the 41 workers trapped in the under-construction Silkyara-Barkot tunnel (Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand) were finally rescued on November 28 after a 17-day rescue effort. All those involved in the rescue effort deserve a big thanks of the entire country. The government deserves appreciation for providing all-round support.

Delhi Jal Board under fire as CAG finds 55% groundwater unfit for consumption

By A Representative A Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India audit report tabled in the Delhi Legislative Assembly on 7 January 2026 has revealed alarming lapses in the quality and safety of drinking water supplied by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), raising serious public health concerns for residents of the capital.

Election bells ringing in Nepal: Can ousted premier Oli return to power?

By Nava Thakuria* Nepal is preparing for a national election necessitated by the collapse of KP Sharma Oli’s government at the height of a Gen Z rebellion (youth uprising) in September 2025. The polls are scheduled for 5 March. The Himalayan nation last conducted a general election in 2022, with the next polls originally due in 2027. However, following the dissolution of Nepal’s lower house of Parliament last year by President Ram Chandra Poudel, the electoral process began under the patronage of an interim government installed on 12 September under the leadership of retired Supreme Court judge Sushila Karki. The Hindu-majority nation of over 29 million people will witness more than 3,400 electoral candidates, including 390 women, representing 68 political parties as well as independents, vying for 165 seats in the 275-member House of Representatives.

Pairing not with law but with perpetrators: Pavlovian response to lynchings in India

By Vikash Narain Rai* Lynch-law owes its name to James Lynch, the legendary Warden of Galway, Ireland, who tried, condemned and executed his own son in 1493 for defrauding and killing strangers. But, today, what kind of a person will justify the lynching for any reason whatsoever? Will perhaps resemble the proverbial ‘wrong man to meet at wrong road at night!’

Zhou Enlai: The enigmatic premier who stabilized chaos—at what cost?

By Harsh Thakor* Zhou Enlai (1898–1976) served as the first Premier of the People's Republic of China (PRC) from 1949 until his death and as Foreign Minister from 1949 to 1958. He played a central role in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for over five decades, contributing to its organization, military efforts, diplomacy, and governance. His tenure spanned key events including the Long March, World War II alliances, the founding of the PRC, the Korean War, and the Cultural Revolution.

Jayanthi Natarajan "never stood by tribals' rights" in MNC Vedanta's move to mine Niyamigiri Hills in Odisha

By A Representative The Odisha Chapter of the Campaign for Survival and Dignity (CSD), which played a vital role in the struggle for the enactment of historic Forest Rights Act, 2006 has blamed former Union environment minister Jaynaynthi Natarjan for failing to play any vital role to defend the tribals' rights in the forest areas during her tenure under the former UPA government. Countering her recent statement that she rejected environmental clearance to Vendanta, the top UK-based NMC, despite tremendous pressure from her colleagues in Cabinet and huge criticism from industry, and the claim that her decision was “upheld by the Supreme Court”, the CSD said this is simply not true, and actually she "disrespected" FRA.

Uttarakhand tunnel disaster: 'Question mark' on rescue plan, appraisal, construction

By Bhim Singh Rawat* As many as 40 workers were trapped inside Barkot-Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi after a portion of the 4.5 km long, supposedly completed portion of the tunnel, collapsed early morning on Sunday, Nov 12, 2023. The incident has once again raised several questions over negligence in planning, appraisal and construction, absence of emergency rescue plan, violations of labour laws and environmental norms resulting in this avoidable accident.

Search This Blog