Judiciary Under Fire for Misogynistic Bias: Activists Demand Accountability
March 28, 2025
Activists Condemn Judicial Bias in POCSO Case
In a bold and unprecedented move, over 2,600 activists, academics, lawyers, journalists, and artists from across India have written to the Chief Justice of India, decrying the recent revisional order (No. 1449/2024 dated March 17, 2025) issued by the Allahabad High Court in a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) case. The letter, signed by individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds, calls for an urgent overhaul of the judiciary’s gender insensitivity and patriarchal bias.
Supreme Court Takes Notice, But Is It Enough?
While the Supreme Court has taken suo-motu cognizance of the Allahabad High Court’s regressive ruling—slamming it as ‘totally insensitive, inhuman’ and ‘unknown to the tenets of law’—activists insist that this is merely the tip of the iceberg. They argue that systemic misogyny is deeply entrenched within the judiciary, manifesting in judgments that consistently deny justice to survivors of sexual violence.
“The judiciary’s attitude towards crimes against women is disturbingly lenient towards perpetrators. Whether the crime is domestic violence, sexual assault, or communal violence, the pattern remains the same. This particular ruling is not an aberration—it is a reflection of a wider, more dangerous trend,” the letter asserts.
Demands for a Gender-Sensitive Judiciary
The signatories make urgent demands to reform the judiciary’s approach to sexual violence, emphasizing:
- The immediate sensitization of judges to the realities of sexual violence and trauma inflicted on survivors.
- Judges with demonstrated patriarchal biases should not be assigned cases involving sexual crimes, as their decisions risk further endangering victims and reinforcing societal misogyny.
A Movement Backed by Leading Voices
The letter has been endorsed by leading rights organizations, including the People’s Union of Civil Liberties, Forum Against Oppression of Women, Saheli Women’s Resource Centre, Feminists in Resistance, and the All India Progressive Women’s Association, among many others.
Prominent figures such as Syeda Hameed, Aruna Roy, Annie Raja, Uma Chakravarty, Beena Pallical, Kalyani Menon Sen, and Suhasini Muley have also lent their voices to the movement, amplifying the demand for urgent judicial reforms.
Syeda Hameed remarked, “When courts fail to protect survivors and instead embolden perpetrators, the entire justice system collapses under the weight of its own prejudice.”
Aruna Roy added, “Judicial accountability is not optional—it is a necessity if we are to uphold democracy and gender justice.”
Annie Raja stressed, “Every judgment that denies justice to a survivor strengthens a culture of impunity. This must end.”
Uma Chakravarty noted, “A judiciary that normalizes misogyny is a judiciary that has failed its people. We demand change now.”
Beena Pallical asserted, “Marginalized women and children suffer the most from these regressive rulings. We refuse to accept a legal system that does not protect them.”
Kalyani Menon Sen declared, “We are watching, we are resisting, and we will not stop until justice is truly served.”
Suhasini Muley concluded, “It is a disgrace that we have to fight for the bare minimum—justice for survivors. The judiciary must be held accountable.”
The Fight for Justice Continues
Activists assert that unless the judiciary undergoes a fundamental shift in its understanding of gender justice, the legal system will continue to fail women and marginalized communities.
“This is not just about one case; it is about the systemic failure of our institutions to uphold justice for survivors. We cannot allow misogyny to masquerade as law,” the statement concludes.
With mounting pressure from civil society, the judiciary now faces a moment of reckoning. Will the Chief Justice heed the calls for reform, or will the cycle of judicial injustice continue? The answer will determine the future of gender justice in India.
Key Quotes
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“A judiciary that excuses perpetrators while dismissing survivors’ pain is no judiciary at all—it is a broken institution in need of urgent reform.” – Syeda Hameed
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“When justice is denied to one, it threatens the freedom of all. This is not just a legal issue; it’s a crisis of democracy.” – Aruna Roy
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“Survivors deserve a system that protects them, not one that reinforces their trauma. We refuse to be silent.” – Annie Raja
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“How many more lives will be destroyed before the courts recognize their role in perpetuating gender violence?” – Uma Chakravarty
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“If judges continue to rule from a place of patriarchal bias, they are complicit in the violence they fail to condemn.” – Beena Pallical
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“Misogyny in the judiciary isn’t just a problem—it’s a systemic rot that erodes justice at its core.” – Kalyani Menon Sen
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“Justice cannot exist where gender bias thrives. The courts must wake up before they lose their credibility entirely.” – Suhasini Muley
Q&A on Subject
Q: Why is this particular ruling receiving so much backlash?
A: Because it is a glaring example of how deeply misogyny is entrenched in our judiciary. This ruling doesn’t just fail one survivor—it sets a precedent that emboldens perpetrators.
Q: What specific changes are activists demanding?
A: Immediate gender sensitization for judges and the removal of those who have demonstrated patriarchal bias from cases involving sexual violence.
Q: The Supreme Court has criticized the ruling. Isn’t that enough?
A: No. Condemnation without systemic change is meaningless. We need institutional reforms, not just statements of disapproval.
Q: What message do you have for the Chief Justice of India?
A: The time for passive acknowledgment is over. The judiciary must actively dismantle its own biases if it hopes to restore faith in the justice system.
Context & Background
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The Allahabad High Court’s recent revisional order (No. 1449/2024) in a POCSO case has sparked national outrage.
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Activists argue that this ruling is not an isolated incident but part of a long-standing trend of judicial leniency towards perpetrators of gender violence.
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A collective of 2,600+ activists, legal professionals, and concerned citizens has written to the Chief Justice, demanding accountability.
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The Supreme Court has acknowledged the issue but has yet to introduce concrete reforms.
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