The Supreme Court on Monday said its observation during the hearing last week in a bail matter in a rape case were “completely misreported” and added that it has the “highest respect” for women and womanhood.
The comments — on International Women’s Day — come in the wake of recent criticism against the Supreme Court that it had purportedly asked a rape accused whether he would marry the victim, who was a minor when the crime was committed and has turned major now.
“We asked are you going to marry? We didn’t ask him to marry” a bench headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde said, adding it had asked this to the man, in the context of the case.
“The fact of the matter is that we have the highest respect for women,” said the bench, also comprising Justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian.
The observations by the bench were made while it was hearing another case, a plea by a 14-year-old pregnant rape survivor seeking permission to abort the foetus of 26 weeks.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was appearing in the matter, said that the observation by the bench last week was reported out of context.