“Time To Ensure Men Treat Women Well”: Madras HC Refuses To Reduce Rape Attempt Punishment

There have been many landmark judgments passed by our country’s High Courts that have recognized the need to respect and safeguard women. For instance, the Himachal HC previously rejected the bail plea of a rape accused saying ‘no means no’ or how Kerala HC stated the society’s attitude towards single mothers is “despising”. Another such judgment has now come from the Madras HC with regard to a case of attempted rape.

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On November 18, 2013, a widow struggling with hearing and speaking disabilities was grazing goats with her 7-year-old son and niece when 3 men allegedly dragged her into the bushes and attempted to rape her. Seeing this, the children rushed to the woman’s father and told them about what had happened. He swiftly approached the scene and the 3 accused men ran away upon seeing him coming towards them, The New Indian Express reports.

A complaint was lodged and an interpreter recorded her statement. In 2016, the 3 men were found guilty by the Tirunelveli Sessions Court. The judge upheld the statement saying that if her father had not reached the spot on time, the accused would have gang-raped the woman, Times Now reports.

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The 3 people filed an appeal challenging the 7-year imprisonment awarded to them and moved the high court. However, Justice K Murali Shankar of the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court observed that the punishement given cannot be called excessive or be reduced due to the seriousness of the offence and the disabilities faced by the woman.

Justice Shankar stated, “Violence is something she is born with, from womb till grave. Everyone accepts that we are to treat women well. But that is not enough. It’s time to work, to make sure that all men treat women well.” He also observed that despite the provision of the severe punishment available in the law, it has not proven to be a deterrent in improving men’s approach towards women.

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