Supreme Court Calls for Realistic, Phased Safety Measures for Women Nationwide

The matter was heard by the Bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, which acknowledged the gravity of the issues raised and emphasised the need for both immediate and long-term measures to ensure women's safety across the country.

Senior Advocate Pavani Mahalakshmi, appearing for the petitioner, cited several recent incidents of violence against women, calling them a result of institutional failure. “Just yesterday, a girl was burned. Last week, a girl burned herself, and it was termed suicide, it’s actually a murder by the institution, My Lord,” she submitted.

Justice Surya Kant responded empathetically: “We are equally concerned. It is a matter of shame and concern for all of us.”

The Bench, however, noted that it could not proceed without examining the government’s response.

Justice Kant remarked that he had been unable to locate the Union’s counter-affidavit on the court record or in his digital files. “When I started reading the brief, there was nobody to assist me. I couldn’t find the counter affidavit. I kept trying in my laptop also,” he said.

The Court observed that the document may have been misplaced by the Registry.

During the hearing, the Court stressed the importance of issuing a dual-layered response to the crisis: a set of short-term, immediately implementable directions and a set of long-term reforms requiring policy, infrastructural, and financial commitments.

“In the short term, we can start issuing directions right now. So that some kind of interim measure, some effectivity can be there,” Justice Kant observed. “Long term measures will require infrastructural issues, monetary allocation, funds, etc," he added.

On the issue of public awareness, the Bench suggested that the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) be activated to disseminate information on available support schemes and legal remedies, particularly targeting women in rural and marginalised communities.

“House-makers, rural women, school-going girls who drop out, they are the most vulnerable. They are the worst silent victims,” Justice Kant remarked.

He added, “There are so many voiceless persons, particularly in rural areas. Let’s accept the ground realities and think of a solution that reaches them.”

The Court has now posted the matter for further hearing on July 29, directing the parties to examine what meaningful and effective directions could be framed in the interim.