March 26, 2025: The Supreme Court has suspended a controversial ruling by the Allahabad High Court, which stated that actions like grabbing someone’s breasts or breaking their pyjama strings do not constitute attempted rape. The High Court had ruled that prosecutors must provide additional evidence beyond these actions to prove their case against an accused rapist.

The Supreme Court intervened after an organization called “We the Women of India”, challenged the High Court’s March 17 order. The top court’s bench, comprising Justices BR Gavai and Augustine George Masih, criticized the High Court’s judgement for showing a “lack of sensitivity”.

In their ruling, the Supreme Court justices expressed concern that the High Court’s decision demonstrated a “total lack of sensitivity”. Despite their initial hesitation to intervene, the Supreme Court chose to suspend the High Court’s ruling due to its “inhumane approach.”

The Supreme Court has also requested response from the central govt and the Uttar Pradesh state govt. Additionally, they have sought assistance from Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Attorney General R. Venkataramani.