Supreme Court’s New Handbook Pushes Courts Towards ‘Compassionate Justice
What Happened
The Supreme Court has released a new report titled “Judgments and Gender: Sensitivity and Compassion in Writing Judgments”, replacing its 2023 handbook on gender stereotypes. The new handbook asks judges to use survivor-centric language, avoid patriarchal expressions, and adopt trauma-informed courtroom practices in cases involving sexual offences and vulnerable persons. It was prepared by an expert committee led by former Supreme Court judge Justice Aniruddha Bose after reviewing 125 trial court judgments.
Key Takeaways
The handbook emerged after the Supreme Court set aside an Allahabad High Court ruling that drew criticism for its handling of an alleged sexual assault case. The Court concluded that gender sensitivity requires more than changing words; it requires a shift toward compassionate, trauma-aware adjudication.