Tracking JusticeSpain to Allow Rape Survivors to Track Released Offenders The decision represents a key contention among feminists: can carceral approaches to gender-based violence help in the long term? By Akankshya Bahinipaty
Uncertain PrecedentIf Promise to Marry Was Made in ‘Good Faith’ Before a Couple Had Sex, Not Fulfilling the Promise Isn’t Rape: SC The Court distinguished between a false promise of marriage and one made in good faith but not fulfilled -- but the law tells a sobering story of patriarchy in India. By Rohitha Naraharisetty
Plea(se) be PlatonicWoman’s Friendliness Cannot Be Construed as Consent for Sex: Bombay HC "Every woman expects ‘respect’ in a relationship, be it in the nature of friendship based on mutual affection," the court observed. By Saumya Kalia
False Promises No MoreMan Faces Criminal Charges for Refusing to Marry After Sex Due to Woman’s Caste Identity The court refused to quash criminal proceedings against him under charges of rape and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. By Devrupa Rakshit
Consent Is Not CircumstantialBeing in Love Doesn’t Imply Sexual Consent: Kerala HC The court ruled in the case of a man convicted for non-consensual sexual intercourse with a 17-year-old girl he was in a relationship with. By Saumya Kalia
Media BiasThe Class Bias Behind Showing ‘Credentials’ of the Man Who Threatened Virat Kohli’s Infant Media reports highlight the education and economic background of the habitual offender, saying he's from an "upper middle-class family." By Saumya Kalia
One Step For HumankindMarital Rape Is a Valid Ground for Claiming Divorce, Kerala HC Says in Landmark Judgment Even if the "law does not recognize marital rape under penal law, it does not inhibit the court from recognizing the same as a form of cruelty," the bench said. By Rohitha Naraharisetty
Casting A Wider NetNon‑Penetrative Sexual Acts Without Consent Also Count as Rape, Kerala HC Rules If an act provides sexual gratification similar to that of penetrative sex, it will be termed as 'rape' under the Indian Penal Code, the bench said. By Devrupa Rakshit
Burning EvidenceForced Cremation of Dalit Rape Victim in Delhi Highlights Pattern of State’s Complicity in Caste‑Based Crimes “The family was intimidated by the police... the police repeatedly questioned and harassed them,” a resident said in a report. By Rohitha Naraharisetty
Justice DeniedGovt Should Learn From Nirbhaya Case, Enact Stringent Rape Laws for Juveniles: Madhya Pradesh HC The present law is inadequate to deal with heinous offenses committed by persons below the age of 16, the court said. By Rohitha Naraharisetty
Stereotyping SurvivorsSexual Assault Survivor Did Not Behave “Like a Victim,” Goa Court Says in Tarun Tejpal Case The former Tehelka editor should get the "benefit of doubt" because of new facts, the court said. By Saumya Kalia
Justice InterruptedAlmost 84% of Cases Filed by SC/ST Women, Children Are Pending in Court: Govt Panel Attacks on oppressed-caste women and children have increased by 15% over the last three years, the panel noted. By Saumya Kalia
Navigating ConsentCan’t Assume a Woman Consents To Sex Just Because She Has Said Yes Before: Delhi Court The court rejected the bail plea of news anchor Varun Hiremath, who allegedly raped a 22-year-old woman. By Aditi Murti
Zero Disclosure PolicyBombay HC Expands What Kind of Rape Coverage in Media, Social Media Is Punishable The ruling and related guidelines aim to prevent both purposeful, or accidental, identification of rape survivors. By Devrupa Rakshit
FinallyPakistani High Court Calls Two‑Finger Virginity Test of Rape Survivors “Unconstitutional” The Lahore High Court referenced previous Indian judgments in calling for an end to the abusive practice. By Aditi Murti
Justice DelayedCBI Releases Long List of U.P. Police Failures in Hathras Gang Rape Case The agency's findings support the public outrage over what is widely perceived as a cover-up. By Aditi Murti
No Means NoDenmark Becomes Latest Country to Define Rape by Lack of Consent, Rather Than by Violence “Now it will be clear, that if both parties do not consent to sex, then it’s rape,” says the country's justice minister. By Aditi Murti
MisguidedPakistan Passes Ordinance Allowing Chemical Castration of Sex Offenders The misguided move is a knee-jerk attempt to placate public outrage over a gang-rape outside Lahore. By Rajvi Desai