Supreme Court sets aside Calcutta High Court verdict advising girls to control their sexual urges

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday expressed its disagreement with the Calcutta High Court's remark that teenage girls should control their sexual urges. The apex court expressed its disagreement while setting aside the High Court verdict that acquitted an accused in a sexual assault case.

A bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan, which heard the case, pointed out that guidelines have been issued regarding how authorities should handle POCSO cases. Justice Oka, who delivered the verdict on behalf of the bench, clarified that the guidelines also include how courts should write judgments.

The Supreme Court had previously observed that the Calcutta High Court's remark was objectionable and unnecessary. The Supreme Court, which considered the observations made by the Division Bench of the High Court, has initiated a suo motu writ petition on the matter.

The Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court made the controversial observation on October 18 while issuing a verdict acquitting a man who was earlier convicted by a lower court for raping a minor girl with whom he had a 'romantic affair'.

The High Court observed that adolescent girls should control their sexual urges. They should protect their bodies and not succumb to two minutes of sexual pleasure, leading to loss of everything in society. It is the duty of every adolescent girl to preserve her body. The court also stated that it is the duty of every adolescent boy to respect the duties of girls and women.

The Supreme Court noted that the High Court discussed several irrelevant topics. The court said that judges should not express their personal opinions while writing judgments in such appeals. They should not make speeches, the court said."