The Supreme Court has emphasised the need for compassion, empathy and sensitivity while dealing with victims and other vulnerable persons during judicial proceedings, particularly in cases involving sexual offences.
In its July 14, 2026 judgment in Suo Motu Writ Petition (Criminal) No. 1 of 2025, the Supreme Court accepted a report prepared by an expert committee constituted through the National Judicial Academy (NJA).
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The guidelines recommend adopting a gender-sensitive and trauma-informed approach while conducting judicial proceedings involving victims of sexual offences.
The recommendations aim to prevent victims from being subjected to further trauma during court proceedings, including through insensitive or inappropriate cross-examination. The guidelines specifically call for avoiding improper references to a victim’s past sexual history.
The Supreme Court also stressed the importance of protecting the dignity, privacy, equality and autonomy of victims and vulnerable persons throughout the judicial process.
The guidelines further call for the use of sensitive and appropriate language in court orders and judgments, with the broader objective of ensuring that judicial proceedings do not cause unnecessary emotional or psychological distress to victims.
