'Touching woman's breast cannot be treated as sexual assault': Supreme Court issues new directions on handling sexual offence cases

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India has issued fresh directions on how courts should deal with sexual offence cases. It has directed that the National Judicial Academy Committee's report, which outlines key guidelines for handling such cases, be uploaded on the websites of the Supreme Court and all High Courts. The directions come in the wake of controversial court rulings in sexual assault cases.

One of the rulings was delivered by the Allahabad High Court in March 2025. The court had observed that pulling the drawstring of a girl's trousers and grabbing her breasts could not be treated as sexual assault. The Supreme Court later took up the matter on its own. The apex court also considered a Patna High Court judgment delivered on July 9, which held that removing a woman's clothes and pressing her breasts could not be treated as sexual assault.

Referring to the Patna High Court order, Chief Justice Surya Kant said judges must carry out proper legal research before delivering judgments. He also criticised court staff, saying they were not doing enough to assist the judicial process. The Supreme Court said all courts must follow the recommendations in the National Judicial Academy handbook while hearing sexual offence cases. It also directed state governments to ensure that police officers follow these guidelines while registering FIRs and filing charge sheets. The handbook should be followed at every police station, the court said. The Supreme Court added that a detailed judgment on the matter will be uploaded soon.