Satyamev Jayate - Jinhe Desh Ki Fikr Hai

Power to you

Be an information activist by spreading the word about the problems that exist in our society. Here are some resources that can help you empower yourself and others.

 
  
000

Power to you

Aakash

Supreme Court's guidelines for rape trials Back

The Supreme Court of India laid down guidelines for the behaviour of defense lawyers in rape trials in a 1996 judgement. Unfortunately, these guidelines are not strictly followed today.

Below are a few excerpts from the judgement:

  • The courts should examine the broader probabilities of a [rape] case and not get swayed by minor contradictions or insignificant discrepancies in the statement of prosecutrix.
  • The court should not sit as a silent spectator while the victim of crime is being cross-examined by the defence. It must effectively control the recording of evidence.
  • While every latitude should be given to the accused to test the veracity of the prosecutrix and the credibility of her version through cross-examination, the court must also ensure that cross-examination is not made as a means of harassment or causing humiliation to the victim of crime.
  • It [an in-camera trial] would enable the victim of crime to be a little comfortable and answer the questions with greater ease in not too familiar surroundings. The improved quality of her evidence would assist the courts in arriving at the truth and sifting truth from falsehood.
  
000

Comments

Disclaimer:In case you are a victim/survivor or know a person who has been raped, or has been/being physical abused and/or been/being sexually assaulted, Star India Private Limited and Aamir Khan Productions Private Limited hereby advise and direct that in such case the victim should (if not done already) speak and discuss or confide in a trusted family member(s), visit the nearby hospital equipped to deal with such crimes and also lodge necessary complaint with the local police station. Your use of the website shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this website, the user generated content and the privacy policy, as available on this website

Make a donation to support the cause.

Your Honour, I demand...

Your Honour, I demand...

Decoding India’s Rape Law

Decoding India’s Rape Law

Things never to say to a survivor in court

Things never to say to a survivor in court

View More +