HC judges address gender sensitisation in awareness programme
Justice R N Manjula spoke on gender discrimination based on social and cultural constructs. She also highlighted the consequences of discrimination. Advocate U Nirmala Rani, president of Legal Aid Centre for Women, spoke about gender based violence and secondary victimisation.
Former Madras high court judge, justice S Vimala spoke on the origin, history, and elements of the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (PoSH) at Workplace Act.
S Suba, head, department of women's studies in Bharathidasan University, addressed gender disparities in the workplace.
Justice Anita Sumanth released a handbook on prevention of sexual harassment (POSH).
Principal district judge M Christopher welcomed the gathering.
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Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Man pulling hands of a woman not offence sans evidence of criminal intention: HC
1 2 Madurai: A man pulling the hands of a woman would not constitute an offence of outraging her modesty without clear evidence about his criminal intention, Madras high court has observed. Justice R N Manjula made the observations while acquitting a man who had been sentenced by a trial court to undergo three years of imprisonment for pulling the hands of a mentally retarded woman in Madurai district. Noting that the act of the accused should be coupled with criminal intention to constitute an offence, the judge said if he pulled the woman away from the centre of a road or to avoid any other accident, that cannot be considered as commission of an offence of outraging modesty. "Without any detailed and clear evidence about the intention, it cannot be presumed automatically from any generalised or vague statements given in the evidence. Such vague or generalised statements will only earn a benefit of doubt in favour of the accused as regards his criminal intention to commit the offence," said the judge. The case pertains to an appeal preferred by Murugesan (appellant) challenging the conviction and sentence imposed on him by the III additional district and sessions court (PCR) in Madurai. The case of the prosecution was that a mentally retarded unmarried woman belonging to the scheduled caste community was grazing cattle in Madurai district in May 2015. The appellant, belonging to Hindu maravar community, abused her by mentioning her caste and pulled her hands. Based on the complaint of the woman's mother, police had registered a case against him. The trial court framed charges against Murugesan under sections of SC/ST Act and 354 (Assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) of IPC. In 2018, the trial court convicted and sentenced him to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years. If, however, acquitted him for offences punishable under SC/ST Act. Challenging the trial court's order, he filed the present appeal in 2018. Justice Manjula observed that the trial court has recorded that the victim cannot be examined, as she was not able to answer the question put forth by the court. The mother of the victim came to know about this incident after an eyewitness informed that the appellant had pulled the hands of the victim. "The evidence of the eyewitness is contradictory and the conviction of the appellant without any corroboration, is not correct. In the absence of any other evidence as to incidental conversation, it is not known whether the accused had pulled the hands of the victim with the only intention of outraging her modesty," the judge said. She also held that the prosecution had miserably failed to prove the intention, and the trial court did not appreciate the same properly. She then set aside the order of the trial court and acquitted Murugesan from all charges. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
NDTV
05-08-2025
- NDTV
No Caste Discrimination In Water Distribution: Madras High Court's Big Order
Chennai: In a powerful and far-reaching order, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has condemned caste-based discrimination in access to public water resources and directed statewide implementation of equitable practices. Justice Dr RN Manjula passed the order in response to a bail petition where a 65-year-old woman from the Scheduled Caste community highlighted discriminatory practices in Thalaivankottai village, Tenkasi district. Calling the denial of water based on caste "pathetic and surprising in this scientific age," the court termed access to clean drinking water a fundamental right and integral to the right to life. The court had earlier directed the Tenkasi District Collector to ensure Scheduled Caste residents were not made to wait until others had taken water. A compliance report filed on July 31 confirmed installation of 17 new public taps and the formation of a committee to monitor equal access. Appreciating the swift response, Justice Manjula emphasized that authorities should not wait for complaints to act, noting that caste discrimination often goes unreported due to fear or apathy. Invoking Sections 3(1)(za) and 21 of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the court reminded the government of its constitutional duty to ensure that common public resources like water are shared without discrimination. In a significant directive, the judge ordered the Director of Municipal Administration, Director of Town Panchayats, and District Collectors across Tamil Nadu - under the supervision of the Chief Secretary and in coordination with the Director General of Police - to implement the "Thalaivankottai model" in every village and urban area within three weeks. The case will be heard next on August 21. The court also urged that committees be formed at the panchayat level to proactively monitor equal access to public resources and promote caste harmony.
The Hindu
04-08-2025
- The Hindu
Odisha self-immolation case: Crime Branch of Odisha police arrests two persons linked to the death
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