New Delhi, April 15, 2025 – The Supreme Court tore into the Allahabad High Court Monday, branding its remarks in a rape case “highly insensitive” and taking suo motu cognizance of an order that called a minor’s assault “consensual” and cut the accused’s sentence. Chief Justice DY Chandrachud’s bench, with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, scheduled a Friday hearing to probe the July 2024 ruling, per Hindustan Times.
The Allahabad HC’s Justice Krishan Pahal had slashed a 35-year-old’s life term to 10 years, citing the 14-year-old victim’s “love affair” and “village norms” where girls marry by 15 (The Indian Express). “This trivializes trauma—shocking,” Chandrachud snapped, noting the girl’s pregnancy and POCSO Act violations (The Hindu). The case, from Sitapur, sparked outrage when the survivor’s family alleged coercion—her statement shifted under pressure (Times of India).
The SC’s move follows its April 9 food safety nudge—judges are flexing on social issues (NDTV). In 2024, UP logged 3,200 rape cases, 40% involving minors (NCRB). “Courts mustn’t normalize abuse,” advocate Vrinda Grover told The Economic Times. X erupted—“HC’s a disgrace!”—while others defend rural context: “Judges see ground reality” (post:2). The SC stayed the HC order, ensuring the accused stays locked up (India Today).
This isn’t just a rap—it’s a reckoning. With 2.1 lakh pending rape cases nationwide (NJA, 2024), will the SC’s wrath reset justice, or stir more debate?
