The Punjab and Haryana High Court rejected bail pleas of three juveniles accused in a sexual assault case involving a visually impaired minor girl. The Court noted that the victim identified the accused through their voices and observed that release would defeat justice.
The Supreme Court stressed that deep-rooted patriarchal attitudes and the covert practice of sex selection continue to necessitate strict enforcement of the PCPNDT Act. Dismissing a doctor’s appeal, the Court observed that despite progress in gender equality, societal attitudes require significant transformation.
The Supreme Court has ruled that psychological evaluation of a child should not be treated as a routine measure in custody disputes before Family Courts. The Court clarified that no assessment should be conducted if a psychologist’s report finds it unnecessary or undesirable for the child’s welfare.
The Allahabad High Court sharply criticised state authorities for their persistent failure to act promptly on a plea seeking medical termination of pregnancy for a minor rape survivor with mental disability. The Court highlighted delays that adversely affected the victim’s access to timely medical care.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court held that a father’s obligation toward his daughters includes funding higher education and not merely providing basic maintenance. Stressing that women empowerment must be implemented in practice, the Court directed payment of Rs 46.26 lakh towards the daughters’ medical and engineering education expenses.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court held that a woman married during childhood cannot be denied reasonable maintenance, observing that she was victimised first by child marriage and later by being awarded a meagre maintenance amount. The Court emphasised the need to protect the rights and dignity of women.
The Allahabad High Court held that a mother’s alleged remarriage cannot defeat the independent statutory right of minor children to claim maintenance from their biological father, reaffirming that a father’s obligation to maintain his children continues regardless of matrimonial disputes or changes in the mother’s marital status.