Supreme Court to Rule on Controversial Calcutta High Court Verdict

The Supreme Court is set to deliver its judgment on August 20 regarding appeals against a 2023 Calcutta High Court ruling that acquitted an accused in a sexual assault case and made ''objectionable'' remarks about adolescent girls controlling sexual urges. The apex court has criticized these observations as 'unwarranted'.

The Supreme Court is poised to announce its ruling on August 20 concerning appeals against the 2023 Calcutta High Court verdict that acquitted an accused in a sexual assault case. The contentious judgement made ''objectionable'' remarks advising adolescent girls to ''control sexual urges.''

The apex court had earlier criticized the high court's comments as ''highly objectionable and completely unwarranted,'' emphasizing that judges should refrain from ''preaching'' in their rulings. A writ petition was initiated by the Supreme Court to address these observations.

Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan are expected to deliver the verdict on the appeal filed by the West Bengal government, alongside the suo motu petition. The high court had previously acquitted the accused, suggesting the relationship was consensual despite legal age concerns.

(With inputs from agencies.)