Teach boys good conduct, don’t dictate women’s clothes: Delhi High Court

In a landmark ruling, the Delhi High Court has condemned the notion that a woman's clothing choice can "corrupt young boys," stating that such an attitude is "deeply troubling and unacceptable." The court overturned a man's acquittal in a 2013 sexual harassment case, emphasizing that the responsibility lies in teaching children to respect personal boundaries and treat everyone with dignity.

The case stemmed from an incident on July 17, 2013, where a 17-year-old complainant alleged that the accused had been stalking her, making sexually inappropriate remarks, and physically touching her. However, the court found that the prosecution had failed to establish the complainant's age, which is necessary to invoke the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Justice Chandrasekharan Sudha, who delivered the judgment, strongly criticized the questions posed to the complainant regarding her clothing during cross-examination. He emphasized that such inquiries are not a valid method to test a witness's credibility or truthfulness, but rather an attempt to "insult, shame, and annoy" the individual. The court further rejected the notion that the complainant's clothing could undermine the reliability of her testimony.

Justice Sudha also addressed the argument that a woman's character could impact her eligibility for protection against harassment. The judge clarified that even a woman with a "reckless reputation" is entitled to privacy and protection under the law. The court further admonished judicial officers to refrain from asking irrelevant, indecent, or humiliating questions during cross-examination, especially when the witness is a vulnerable individual.