New Delhi: The Supreme Court has emphasised the need for compassion, empathy and sensitivity while dealing with victims and other vulnerable persons in cases involving sexual offences.
The guidelines were highlighted in the Court’s July 14, 2026 judgment in Suo Motu Writ Petition (Criminal) No. 1 of 2025. The Court accepted the report prepared by a Committee of Experts through the National Judicial Academy, aimed at promoting a gender-sensitive and trauma-informed approach in judicial proceedings.
The details were provided by Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.
The guidelines seek to prevent secondary victimisation caused by insensitive cross-examination and courtroom practices, while ensuring dignity, privacy and fairness for victims.
Key recommendations include:
Emphasising constitutional principles of dignity, equality, privacy, bodily integrity and autonomy in gender-related cases.
Providing practical safeguards during cross-examination, including preventing reliance on a survivor’s sexual history and other impermissible considerations.
Identifying and addressing gender bias and prejudice during investigation and adjudication.
Using gender-sensitive and respectful language in judicial orders and judgments.
Promoting compassionate, trauma-informed and victim-centric courtroom practices to protect the dignity and privacy of all stakeholders.
The report also stresses that judicial decisions should reflect humanity, compassion and understanding as essential elements of a fair and responsive justice system.
The Supreme Court judgment, subsequent miscellaneous application judgment and the publication ‘Judgments and Gender (Sensitivity and Compassion in Writing Judgments)’ have been made available on the Supreme Court’s website.
