Supreme Court Slams Patna HC: 'Shocking' Ruling That Removing Salwar Isn't Rape Attempt

The Supreme Court of India on [date] criticised a Patna High Court ruling that held removing a woman's salwar does not amount to an attempt to rape, terming the decision 'shocking'. The apex court issued a notice to the accused who had been acquitted in the case, seeking a response on why the High Court's verdict should not be set aside.

The Patna High Court's ruling had sparked widespread outrage, with legal experts and women's rights groups arguing that it trivialises sexual violence and sets a dangerous precedent for consent jurisprudence. The Supreme Court's intervention comes amid growing calls for judicial accountability and a reevaluation of how lower courts interpret attempt-to-rape laws under the Indian Penal Code.

The Supreme Court's notice to the accused indicates that the case may be reopened, potentially leading to a landmark judgment that could redefine the legal standards for attempted rape. The development is being closely watched by legal analysts and activists, who see it as a critical test of the judiciary's commitment to protecting women's rights and upholding constitutional morality.