Empowering Women's Legal Rights, Women Rights, Women Rights News

Women's Rights

Supreme Court Seeks States’ Response on Job Rehabilitation for Acid Attack Survivors

The Supreme Court questioned the absence of rehabilitation schemes providing government jobs to acid attack survivors and asked all States and Union Territories to explain why such measures should not be implemented.

A Bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was hearing a petition filed by acid attack survivor Shaheen Malik. The Court directed States/UTs to submit detailed data on acid attack cases, victims’ education, employment, treatment, and compensation.

It also suggested that if government employment is not feasible, authorities should consider providing honorarium or subsistence allowance to ensure proper rehabilitation and support for survivors.

[Shaheen Malik v. UOI]

Read Details / 2 days ago

S PavithraBookmark

Women’s Representation Needs Action, Not Just Intent: CJI Surya Kant

CJI Surya Kant, emphasised that institutional intent alone is insufficient to increase the number of women judges in the higher judiciary and must be backed by concrete action.

Speaking at the National Conference of Indian Women in Law on the theme “Half the Nation - Half the Bench,” he urged High Court collegiums to actively consider meritorious women lawyers for judicial appointments and widen their zone of consideration.

He suggested that women advocates practising in the Supreme Court of India who belong to a particular State may also be considered for elevation to High Courts to improve representation.

Read Details / 3 days ago

S PavithraBookmark

'Panchayat Not Court of Law': Orissa High Court Rules Sexual Offences Cannot be Settled via Marriage Promises

The Orissa High Court ruled that village Panchayats and Sarpanches lack the judicial authority to settle serious crimes like child sexual abuse through brokered marriages.

The Court upheld the 20-year conviction of a man who repeatedly assaulted a minor, noting that a subsequent marriage does not act as a "legal solvent" for initial criminal liability.

The Court condemned the rural practice of village elders convening to stifle criminal complaints, emphasizing that Section 19 of the POCSO Act mandates reporting such cases to the police.

Directing District Magistrates to sensitize local representatives that sexual offences are not subject to private settlement.

[Sanat Kumar Pradhan v. State of Odisha]

Read Details / 3 days ago

AnvishaaBookmark

Supreme Court Questions Husband’s ₹9,000 Salary Claim in Maintenance Dispute

The Supreme Court of India on Friday questioned a husband’s claim that he earns only ₹9,000 per month and cannot pay ₹12,000 as monthly maintenance to his wife.

A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta remarked that such a salary was “difficult to swallow,” asking who earns ₹9,000 in present times.

The Court indicated it may summon the employer to verify the claim.

The matter stems from the wife’s plea seeking enhancement of alimony after lower courts awarded ₹6 lakh as full and final settlement. Orders have been reserved.

11 days ago

MananBookmark

Gujarat High Court: Separation Deed Cannot Override Mother’s Child Custody Rights up to Age 5

The Gujarat HC ruled that a Hindu mother’s right to custody of her child up to five years old cannot be defeated by a settlement deed between parents.

The case involved a mother whose daughter had lived with her since the couple’s separation. The father later took the child without formal consent, prompting the mother’s habeas corpus petition.

The HC held that the father’s unilateral action was unjustified. For granting custody of young children, child welfare and continuity of care should be prioritised over informal agreements.

The court ordered that the minor be restored to the mother’s custody, allowing the father to pursue formal custody orders in the appropriate court.

[Kinjal D/O Hareshkumar Panchal v. State Of Gujarat & Ors.]

Read Details / 14 days ago

S PavithraBookmark

Wife's Unpaid Household Work an Important Aspect in Determining Maintenance: Delhi High Court

The Delhi HC, while deciding a revision petition, held that the law must recognise the economic value of the unpaid household work done by a homemaker wife.

The capacity to earn and actually earning are two different concepts; mere capacity to earn cannot be a ground to deny maintenance.

The case stems from a marriage, wherein the husband left the wife and the child to settle in Kuwait in August 2020. Family Court under Section 125 CrPC granted interim maintenance of Rs 50,000 to the wife and Rs 40,000 for the Child.

The HC upheld the order as balanced and reasonable.

[Rakesh Ray v. Priti Ray]

Read Details / 14 days ago

S PavithraBookmark

Delhi High Court: Wife’s Non-Employment Not ‘Idleness’ in Maintenance Claims

The Delhi High Court has held that a wife’s non-employment cannot be equated with idleness while deciding maintenance claims.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma observed that a homemaker’s unpaid domestic labour enables the earning spouse to function effectively and must be recognised while determining maintenance under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act.

The Court clarified that “capacity to earn” is distinct from “actual earnings,” and mere employability cannot be a ground to refuse support.

Awarding ₹50,000 to the wife, the Court also cautioned that maintenance disputes often turn excessively adversarial and encouraged mediation as a more constructive path in matrimonial conflicts.

Read Details / 15 days ago

MananBookmark

Supreme Court Advises Caution Before Pre-Marital Physical Relationship While Hearing Rape Bail Plea

The Supreme Court orally observed that parties should exercise caution before entering into a pre-marital physical relationship.

The Court was hearing a bail plea of a man accused of rape on a false promise of marriage after meeting the complainant on a matrimonial website.

The complainant alleged that the accused, already married, established physical relations on the pretext of marriage, later married another woman, and recorded intimate videos without consent. The Court said such cases may not warrant trial and conviction when the relationship appears consensual and suggested mediation.

The matter is listed to explore settlement.

[Y K v. State Govt. of NCT of Delhi]

Read Details / 24 days ago

Thanush SBookmark

Orissa High Court Says Daughter’s Marriage Not a Bar to Compassionate Appointment

The Orissa High Court held that a daughter’s marital status cannot disqualify her from compassionate appointment following the death of a government employee.

The Court set aside orders that had denied the woman’s claim solely because she married while her application was pending. It said that excluding married daughters while allowing married sons to seek such jobs creates an artificial classification violating the doctrine of equality.

The bench directed the state government to grant her compassionate appointment within eight weeks and imposed a daily penalty on officials for delay.

The Court stressed that compassionate appointment is meant to support the deceased’s family without discrimination.

Read Details / 24 days ago

MahiraBookmark

'Protecting Women Employees from Sexual Harassment at Workplace is Public Duty': Madras High Court

The Madras High Court pulled up the Railway Employees Cooperative Credit Society for its handling of a sexual harassment complaint by a woman employee.

The Society argued that a writ petition was not maintainable against it, but the Court disagreed. It held that protecting women employees from sexual harassment at the workplace is a public duty and cannot be avoided on technical grounds.

The Court emphasised that all institutions must have proper mechanisms and must act promptly on such complaints.

It directed the Society to follow the law on prevention of sexual harassment and to treat such grievances seriously.

Read Details / 27 days ago

VishwaBookmark

Supreme Court Refuses Interim Ban on Talaq Via WhatsApp, Says Issue Needs Detailed Hearing

The Supreme Court declined to issue a blanket prohibition on pronouncing talaq through WhatsApp, email, or other electronic modes, observing that the matter requires a detailed hearing.

The Court is examining petitions questioning the constitutional validity of Talaq-e-Hasan and seeking a gender and religion-neutral framework for divorce.

The Bench stated that although it will not hesitate to act if any practice is found to violate constitutional ethos or fundamental rights, it must first hear all parties and assess the legal and constitutional issues involved.

Read Details / 27 days ago

Thanush SBookmark

Can Muslim Woman Invoke Khula & Terminate Marriage Without Husband's Consent ? Supreme Court to Consider

The Supreme Court has appointed Senior Advocate Shoeb Alam as amicus curiae to assist in an appeal against a Kerala High Court ruling that upheld a Muslim woman's right to invoke khula and end her marriage without her husband's consent.

A bench of Justices Sanjay Kumar and K. Vinod Chandran listed the case for hearing on April 22, 2026, noting it involves Muslim Personal Law.

The Kerala High Court (Justices A Muhamed Mustaque and CS Dias) ruled that khula is valid if the wife declares repudiation or termination of marriage, offers to return dower or any other material gain received during the marital tie, and an effective attempt at reconciliation precedes the declaration.

30 days ago

VishwaBookmark

Marriage Cannot Disqualify Daughters from Compassionate Appointment: Orissa High Court

The Orissa High Court directed the State to grant compassionate appointment to a woman whose claim was rejected solely because she married during the pendency of her application, holding that such exclusion violates the constitutional guarantee of equality.

The case arose from a plea filed by the daughter of a deceased government employee whose request, made in 2000 and approved in principle, was later denied on the grounds of her marriage in 2006.

The Court held that the Odisha Civil Service (Rehabilitation Assistance) Rules, 1990, do not disqualify a claimant on marriage, observing that sons are not subjected to such exclusion.

It ruled that denying married daughters compassionate appointment creates an impermissible and artificial classification under Articles 14, 15 and 16.

Read Details / a month ago

Thanush SBookmark

Marriage or Pregnancy Cannot Obstruct Education: MP High Court Directs College to Grant Attendance Relaxation

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has ruled that marriage and pregnancy cannot become barriers to a woman’s right to education.

The Court directed educational institutions to grant maternity or child care leave and relax attendance requirements for female students when required.

Observing that maternity protection available in workplaces must extend to academic institutions, the Bench held that denying examinations due to pregnancy defeats women’s educational rights.

The Court also stressed that colleges should provide extra classes, study material, and academic support during pregnancy or after childbirth, ensuring that women are not forced to choose between education and motherhood.

Read order / a month ago

MahiraBookmark

Rape Constitutes "Brutal Invasion" of Woman’s Dignity under Article 21: Chhattisgarh High Court

The Chhattisgarh High Court refused to set aside a man’s rape conviction, holding that the offence represents a serious assault on a woman’s dignity and a brutal infringement of the fundamental right to life and personal liberty guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.

The case arose from an appeal against a Sessions Court judgment convicting the accused under Sections 376, 506, 323 and 342 of the IPC.

The Court rejected the defence of consent, relying on the survivor’s consistent testimony, corroborative medical injuries, and the FSL report, and concluded that the prosecution had established the charges beyond reasonable doubt.

Read Details / a month ago

Thanush SBookmark