The Madras High Court ruled that a married woman can apply for a passport without her husband’s permission or signature, emphasizing her legal individuality. The judgment, prompted by J Revathy’s denied application, criticized the passport office’s requirements as outdated and harmful to women’s rights, marking a significant advancement for women’s independence in India.
The Supreme Court of India has expressed concerns over gender bias in the Army’s JAG recruitment, highlighting the insufficient vacancies for women despite their higher merit. Justices questioned the rationale behind the 50:50 selection ratio and the government’s gender-neutral claims while directing necessary actions for women officers’ inclusion in training.
The Supreme Court of India has mandated a 30% reservation for women lawyers in the Gujarat Bar Associations, including the treasurer role, advocating for gender equality in legal leadership. This decision, stemming from a petition by lawyer Meena A. Jagtap, seeks to enhance women’s representation and address systemic disparities in the profession.
The judgment in Babita Puniya v. Union of India upheld the right of women officers in the Indian Army to be granted Permanent Commission (PC) and command roles—rights that had long been denied under the pretext of “physiological limitations” and “operational difficulties.” NEW DELHI: In 2020, a two-judge bench of the Hon’ble Supreme Court passed […]
Supreme Court judge Justice Surya Kant said that Indian courts don’t treat the law as just a strict rulebook. He shared that courts also protect constitutional values by giving the law modern and fair meanings. This allows the law to grow along with the changing society. According to him, this reflects the courts’ commitment to both justice and constitutional morality.
The Kerala High Court remarked that even women had opposed the entry of women into the Sabarimala temple, highlighting the complexities of societal change. The court emphasized that true empowerment should start within households. It noted that when families support equality, the need for legislative intervention may reduce. The bench underlined that empowerment cannot be imposed, it must grow organically.
The Chhattisgarh government has amended adoption laws by replacing “adopted son” with “adopted child,” promoting gender equality. This change reflects a shift from patriarchal language and honors progressive figures like Teejan Bai and Phoolbasan Bai. Activists support this move while acknowledging further efforts are needed to eliminate gender bias in official language.
The Supreme Court of India ordered that 30% of positions in district bar associations across Karnataka be reserved for women lawyers, following previous directives for the Advocates Association Bengaluru. The Karnataka High Court also supported this initiative, emphasizing the importance of women’s representation in legal institutions and amending bylaws for permanent changes.
Bengaluru: Former Supreme Court judge, Justice Indira Banerjee, emphasized the urgent need for a complete shift in mindset to enable more women to rise to higher positions in the judiciary. She shared her insights during a fireside chat on Saturday with Jayna Kothari, Executive Director of the Centre for Law and Policy Research (CLPR).