SC dismisses plea to make sexual assault laws gender neutral

NEW DELHI: These sections are victimoriented and the Parliament has acknowledged a woman as the victim. We cannot ask Parliament to legislate SUPREME COURT

The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a petition seeking to declare the offences of rape, sexual assault, outraging of modesty, voyeurism and stalking in the Indian Penal Code as gender-neutral, saying they were meant to protect women and only Parliament can change the law.

“These provisions in the Indian Penal Code (IPC) are affirmative provisions to protect women. POCSO Act is gender neutral as it takes care of a child up to 18 years. But, these sections protect women and stand on a different footing,” a bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra told Rishi Malhotra.

“Legislations come as a response to social and collective cry. These sections are victimoriented and the Parliament has acknowledged a woman as the victim. We cannot ask Parliament to legislate,” Justice Misra added.

Malhotra, an advocate, had asked the court to examine the validity of the sections on the same ground as it agreed to hear a case against adultery. He said the word “man” given in the definition of the sections should be substituted with a “person” so that even a woman can be prosecuted.

“Parliament has recognised a degree of harm against women and framed this law. Similarly, in sexual harassment instances, Parliament felt it is the woman who is the victim and accordingly has recommended the law to deal with it,” justice DY Chandrachud, another member of the bench, said.