Indian supreme court on rape laws
From Queer NLS on lgbt- India@yahoo
am sending the supreme court judgment where it refused to read the definition of rape broadly to include non-peno-vaginal sexual assault. one of the justifications given for retaining s.377 is that it is the only section currently where such non peno-vaginal sexual assault can be punished (its an irony that even the perpetrators of sexual violence against kokila in bangalore are ever punished, it would be under s. 377).
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
Writ Petition (Crl.) No. 33 of 1997 with SLP (Crl.) Nos. 1672-1673/2000
Decided On: 26.05.2004
Appellants: Sakshi
Vs.
Respondent: Union of India (UOI) and Ors.
Hon'ble Judges:
S. Rajendra Babu, C.J. and G.P. Mathur, J.
Counsels:
R.N. Trivedi, Additional Solicitor General, F.S. Nariman, Sr. Adv. (A.C.) (N.P.), Naina Kapoor, Meenakshi Arora, Hona Chettri, Tara Chandra Sharma, P. Parmeswaran, Sujit Kumar Bhattacharya, Goodwill Indeevar, Shashi Kiran, Anil Katiyar, D.N. Goburdhan, Pinky Anand, Geeta Luthra, Syed Ali Ahmad, Syed Tanweer Ahmad, G.G. Upadhyay and R.D. Upadhyay, Advs. for the appearing parties
Acts/Rules/Orders:
Constitution of India - Articles 13, 14, 15(3), 17, 18, 19, 20(1), 21 and 32; Indian Penal Code, 1860 - Sections 354, 375, 376, 376(2), 376A to 376D, 377, 506 and 511; Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 1983; Dowry Prohibition Act - Section 2; Foreign Exchange Regulation Act - Section 35 and 35(2); Customs Act - Section 104; Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act, 1976 - Section 1(1); Offences against Person Act, 1861 - Sections 18, 20, 42 and 47; Aliens Control Act, 1991 - Section 25(5); Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) - Sections 167(1), 167(2), 273, 327(1), 327(2) and 715.1
Cases Referred:
S. Gopal Reddy v. State of A.P., 1996 (4) SCC 596; Seaford Court Estates Ltd. v. Asher, (1949) 2 All ER 155; R v. R, (1991) 4 All ER 481; Directorate of Enforcement v. Deepak Mahajan and Anr., 1994 (3) SCC 440; Regina v. Burstow; Regina v. Ireland, 1997 (4) All ER 74; Gay and Lesbian Equality and Ors. v. The Minister of Home Affairs and Ors., Case CCT 10/99; Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan, 1997 (6) SCC 241; Lakshmi Kant Pandey v. Union of India, 1984 (2) SCC 244; State of Punjab v. Major Singh, 1966 (Supp) SCR 266; Mishri Lal v. Dhierendra Nath, 1999 (4) SCC 11; Muktul v. Manbhari, AIR 1958 SC 918; Admiralty Commrs. v. Valverda (Owners), 1938 AC 173 (AC); Button v. Director of Public Prosecution, 1966 AC 591; Her Majesty The Queen v. D.O.L. and the Attorney General of Canada, etc., (1993) 4 SCR 419; State of Maharashtra v. Dr. Praful B Desai, 2003 (4) SCC 601; State of Punjab v. Gurmit Singh, 1996 (2) SCC 384
Citing Reference:
* Mentioned
** Relied On
**** Distinguished
S. Gopal Reddy v. State of A.P. *
Seaford Court Estates Ltd. v. Asher *
R v. R ****
Directorate of Enforcement v. Deepak Mahajan and Anr. *
Regina v. Burstow; Regina v. Ireland ****
Gay and Lesbian Equality and Ors. v. The Minister of Home Affairs and Ors. *
Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan *
Lakshmi Kant Pandey v. Union of India *
State of Punjab v. Major Singh **
Mishri Lal v. Dhierendra Nath **
Her Majesty The Queen v. D.O.L. and the Attorney General of Canada, etc. **
State of Maharashtra v. Dr. Praful B Desai **
State of Punjab v. Gurmit Singh **
JUDGMENT
G.P. Mathur, J.
1. This writ petition under Article 32 of the Constitution has been filed by way of public interest litigation, by Sakshi, which is an organisation to provide legal, medical, residential, psychological or any other help, assistance or charitable support for women, in particular those who are victims of any kind of sexual abuse and/or harassment, violence or any kind of atrocity or violation and is a violence intervention centre. The respondents arrayed in the writ petition are (1) Union of India; (2) Ministry of Law and Justice; and (3) Commissioner of Police, New Delhi. The main reliefs claimed in the writ petition arc as under :
A) Issue a writ in the nature of a declaration or any other appropriate writ or direction declaring inter alia that "sexual intercourse" as contained in Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code shall include all forms of penetration such as penile/vaginal penetration, penile/oral penetration, penile/anal penetration, finger/vaginal and finger/anal penetration and object/vaginal penetration;
B) Consequently, issue a writ, order or direction in the nature of a direction to the respondents and its servants and agents to register all such cases found to be truly on investigation, offences falling within the broadened interpretation of "sexual intercourse" set out in prayer (A) aforesaid as offences under Section 375, 376 and 376A to 376D of the Indian Penal Code, 1860;
C) Issue such other writ order or direction as this Hon'ble Court may deem appropriate in the present facts and circumstances.
The petition is thus restricted to a declaratory relief and consequential directions.
2. It is set out in the writ petition that the petitioner has noticed with growing concern the dramatic increase of violence, in particular sexual violence against women and children as well as the implementation of the provisions of Indian Penal Code namely Sections 377, 375/376 and 354 by the respondent authorities. The existing trend of the respondent authorities has been to treat sexual violence, other than penile/vaginal penetration, as lesser offences falling under either Section 377 or 354 of the IPC and not as a sexual offence under Section 375/376 IPC. It has been found that offences such as sexual abuse of minor children and women by penetration other than penile/vaginal penetration, which would take any other form and could also be through use of objects whose impact on the victims is in no manner less than the trauma of penile/vaginal penetration as traditionally understood under Section 375/376, have been treated as offences tailing under Section 354 of the IPC ! as
outraging the modesty of a women or under Section 377 IPC as unnatural offenses.
3. The petitioner through the present petition contends that the narrow understanding and application of rape under Section 375/376 IPC only to the cases of penile/vaginal penetration runs contrary to the existing contemporary understanding of rape as an intent to humiliate, violate and degrade a woman or child sexually and, therefore, adversely affects the sexual integrity and autonomy of women and children in violation of Article 21 of the Constitution.
4. The petitioner submits that a plain reading of Section 375 would make it apparent that the term "sexual intercourse" has not been defined and is, therefore, subject to and is capable of judicial interpretation. Further the explanation to Section 375 IPC does not in any way limit the term penetration to mean penile/vaginal penetration. The definition of the term rape as contained in the Code is extremely wide and takes within its sweep various forms of sexual offenses. Limiting the understanding of "rape" to abuse by penile/vaginal penetration only, runs contrary to the contemporary understanding of sexual abuse law and denies majority of women and children access to adequate redress in violation of Article 14 and 21 of the Constitution. Statistics and figures indicate that sexual abuse of children, particularly minor girl, children by means and manner other than penile/vaginal penetration is common and may take the form of penile/anal penetration, peni! le/oral penetration,
finger/vaginal penetration or object/ vaginal penetration. It is submitted that by treating such forms of abuse as offenses falling under Section 354 IPC or 377 IPC, the very intent of the amendment of Section 376 IPC by incorporating Sub-section 2(f) therein is defeated. The said interpretation is also contrary to the contemporary understanding of sexual abuse and violence all over the world.
5. The petitioner submits that mere has for some time now been a growing body of feminist legal theory and jurisprudence which has clearly established rape as an experience of humiliation, degradation and violation rather than an outdated notion of penile/vaginal penetration. Restricting an understanding of rape in terms sought to be done by the respondent authorities and its agents reaffirms the view that rapists treat rape as sex and not violence and thereby condone such behaviour especially when it comes to sexual abuse of children.
6. In this regard, reference is invited to the observations of a renowned expert on the issue of sexual abuse :
"....... in rape .... the intent is not merely to "take", but to humiliate and degrade ..... Sexual assault in our day and age is hardly restricted to forced genital copulation, nor is it exclusively a male-on-female offence. Tradition and biologic opportunity have rendered vaginal rape a particular political crime with a particular political history, but the invasion may occur through the mouth or the rectum as well. And while the penis may remain the rapist's favourite weapon, his prime instrument of vengeance...... it is not in fact his only tool. Sticks, bottles and even fingers are often substituted for the "natural" thing. And as men may invade women through other offices, so too, do they invade other men. Who is to say that the sexual humiliation suffered through forced oral or rectal penetration is a lesser violation of the personal, private inner space, a lesser injury to mind, spirit and sense of self ?" (Susan Brownmiller, Against Our! Will 1986).
7. The petitioner further submits that the respondent authorities and their agents have failed to take into consideration the legislative purpose of Section 377 IPC. Reference has also been made to The Law Commission of India Report (No. 42) of 1971 pp. 281. While considering whether or not to retain Section 377 IPC, the Commission found as under :
"There are, however, a few sound reasons for retaining the existing law in India. First it cannot be disputed that homosexual acts and tendencies on the pan of one spouse may affect the married life and happiness of the other spouse, and from this point of view, making the acts punishable by law has social justification. Secondly, even assuming that acts done in private with consent do not in themselves constitute a serious evil, there is a risk involved in repealing legislation which has been in force for a long time........ Ultimately, the answer to the question whether homosexual acts ought to be punished depends on the view one takes of the relationship of criminal law to morals. .... We are inclined to think that Indian society, by and large, disapproves of homosexuality and this disapproval is strong enough to justify it being treated as a criminal offence even where adults indulge in it in private."
In view of the Commission's conclusions regarding the purview of Section 377 IPC, the said section was clearly intended to punish certain forms of private sexual relations perceived as immoral. Despite the same, the petitioner submits, the respondent authorities have, without any justification, registered those cases of sexual violence which would otherwise fall within the scope and ambit of Section 375/376 IPC, as cases of moral turpitude under Section 377 IPC. It is submitted that the respondent authorities and their agents have wrongly strained the language of Section 377 IPC intended to punish "homosexual" behaviour to punish more serious cases of sexual violence against women and children when the same ought to be dealt with as sexual offences within the meaning of Section 375/376 IPC in violation of Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India.
8. It is submitted that Article 15(3) of the Constitution of India allows for the State to make special provision for women and children. It follows that "special provision" necessarily implies "adequate" provision. Further, that the arbitrary and narrow interpretation sought to be placed by the respondent authorities and their agents on Section 375/376 renders the effectiveness of redress under the said Sections and in particular under Section 376(2)(f) meaningless in violation of Article 15(3) of the Constitution of India. The petitioner has also referred to the U.N. Right of Child Convention ratified by the respondent No. 1 on 11th December, 1993 as well as the U.N. Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women which was ratified in August 1993. In view of the ratification, the respondent No. 1 has created a legitimate expectation that it shall adhere to its International commitments as set out under the respective Conventions. In the p! resent case, however, the existing interpretation of rape sought to be imposed by the respondent authorities and their agents is in complete violation of such International commitments as have been upheld by this Court.
9. By an order passed on 3.11.2000 the parties were directed to formulate issues which arise for consideration. Accordingly, the petitioner has submitted the following issues and legal propositions which require consideration by the Court :
(a) Given that modem feminist legal theory and jurisprudence look at rape as an experience of humiliation, degradation and violation rather than an outdated notion of penile/vaginal penetration, whether the term "rape" should today be understood to include not only forcible penile/vaginal penetration but all forms of forcible penetration including penile/oral penetration, penile/anal penetration, object or finger/vaginal and object or finger/anal penetration.
(b) Whether all forms of non-consensual penetration should not be subsumed under Section 373 of the Indian Penal code and the same should not be limited to penile, vaginal penetration only.
(c) In particular, given the widespread prevalence of child sexual abuse and bearing in mind the provisions of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 1983 which specifically inserted Section 376(2)(f) envisaging the offence of "rape" of a girl child howsoever young below 12 years of age, whether the expression "sexual intercourse" as contained in Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code should correspondingly include all forms of penetration such as penile/vaginal penetration, penile/oral penetration, penile/anal penetration, finger/vagina and finger/anal penetration and object/vaginal penetration; and whether the expression "penetration" should not be so clarified in the Explanation to Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code.
(d) Whether a restrictive interpretation of "penetration" in the Explanation to Section 375 (rape) defeats the very purpose and intent of the provision for punishment for rape under Section 376(2)(f) "Whosoever commits rape on a woman when she is under twelve years of age."
(e) Whether, penetration abuse of a child below the age of 12 should no longer be arbitrarily classified according to the 'type' of penetration (ignoring the 'impact' on such child) either as an "unnatural offence" under Section 377 IPC for penile/oral penetration and penile/anal penetration or otherwise as "outraging the modesty of a woman" under Section 354 for finger penetration or penetration with an inanimate object.
(f) Whether non-consensual penetration of a child under the age of 12 should continue to be considered as offences under Section 377 ("Unnatural Offences") on par with certain forms of consensual penetration (such as consensual homosexual sex) where a consenting party can be held liable as an abettor or otherwise.
(g) Whether a purposive/teleological interpretation of "rape" under Section 375/376 requires taking into account the historical disadvantage faced by a particular group (in the present case, women and children) to show that the existing restrictive interpretation worsens that disadvantage and for that reason fails the test of equality within the meaning of Article 14 of the Constitution of India.
(h) Whether the. present narrow interpretation treating only eases of penile/vaginal penetration as rape, adversely affects the sexual integrity and autonomy of women and children in violation of Article 21 of Constitution of India.
10. Counter affidavit on behalf of respondents No. 1 and 2 has been filed by Mrs. G. Mukerjee. Director in the Ministry of Home Affairs. It is stated therein that Sections 375 and 376 have been substantially changed by the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 1983. The same Act has also introduced several new Sections viz. 376A, 376B, 376C and 376D IPC. These sections have bean inserted with a view to provide special/adequate provisions for women and children. The term "rape" has been clearly defined under Section 375 IPC. Penetration other than penile/vaginal penetration are unnatural sexual offences. Stringent punishments are provided for such unnatural offences under Section 377. The punishment provided under Section 377 is imprisonment for life or imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to 10 years and shall also be liable to fine. Section 377 deals with unnatural offences and provides for a punishment as severe as that provided for rape in Sect! ion 376. Section 354 and 506 have been framed with a view to punish lesser offence of criminal assault in the form of outraging the modesty of a woman, whereas Sections 376 and 377 provide stringent punishment for sexual offences. The types of several offences as mentioned by the petitioner i.e. penile/anus penetration, penile/oral penetration, finger/anile penetration, finger/vaginal penetration or object/vaginal penetration are serious sexual offences of unnatural nature and are to be covered under Section 377 which provides stringent punishment. Therefore, the plea of petitioner that offences under Section 377 are treated as lesser offences is incorrect. It is also submitted in the counter affidavit that penetration of the vagina, anus or urethra of any person with any part of the body of another person other than penile penetration is considered to be unnatural and has to be dealt with under Section 377 IPC. Section 376(2)(f) provides stringent punishment for committing rape on a woman ! when she is under the age of 12 years. Child sexual abuse of any nature, other than penile penetration, is obviously unnatural and are to be dealt with under Section 377 IPC. It is further submitted that Section 354 IPC provides for punishment for assault or criminal force to woman to outrage her modesty. Unnatural sexual offences can not be brought under the ambit of this Section. Rape defined under Section 375 is penile/vaginal penetration and all other sorts of penetration are considered to be unnatural sexual offences. Section 377 provides stringent punishment for such offences. It is denied that provisions of Sections 375, 376 and 377 are violative of fundamental rights, under Articles 14, 15(3) and 21 of the Constitution of India. Sexual penetration as penile/anal penetration, finger/vaginal and finger/anal penetration and object and vaginal penetration are most unnatural forms of perverted sexual behaviour for which Section 377 provides stringent punishment.
11. Ms. Meenakshi Arora, learned counsel for the petitioner has submitted that Indian Penal Code has to be interpreted in the light of the problems of present day and a purposive interpretation has to be given. She has submitted that Section 375 IPC should be interpreted in the current scenario, especially in regard to the fact that child abuse has assumed alarming proportion in recent times. Learned counsel has stressed that the words "sexual intercourse" in Section 375 IPC should be interpreted to mean all kinds of sexual penetration of any type of any orifice of the body and not the intercourse understood in the traditional sense. The words "sexual intercourse" having not been defined in the Penal Code, there is no impediment in the way of the Court to give it a wider meaning so that the various types of child abuse may come within its ambit and the conviction of an offender may be possible under Section 376 IPC, In this connection, she has referred to! United Nations Convention On
The Elimination Of All Forms Of Discrimination Against Women, 1979 and also Convention On The Rights Of The Child adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 20th February, 1989 and especially to Articles 17(e) and 19 thereof, which read as under :
Article 17
States Parties recognise the important function performed by the mass media and shall ensure that the child has access to information and material from a diversity of national and international sources, especially those aimed at the promotion of his or her social, spiritual and moral well-being and physical and mental health. To this end, States Parties shall --
(a) ................. (Omitted as not relevant)
(e) Encourage the development of appropriate guidelines for the protection of the child from information and material injurious to his or her well-being, bearing in mind the provisions of Articles 13 and 18. (contiuned)
am sending the supreme court judgment where it refused to read the definition of rape broadly to include non-peno-vaginal sexual assault. one of the justifications given for retaining s.377 is that it is the only section currently where such non peno-vaginal sexual assault can be punished (its an irony that even the perpetrators of sexual violence against kokila in bangalore are ever punished, it would be under s. 377).
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
Writ Petition (Crl.) No. 33 of 1997 with SLP (Crl.) Nos. 1672-1673/2000
Decided On: 26.05.2004
Appellants: Sakshi
Vs.
Respondent: Union of India (UOI) and Ors.
Hon'ble Judges:
S. Rajendra Babu, C.J. and G.P. Mathur, J.
Counsels:
R.N. Trivedi, Additional Solicitor General, F.S. Nariman, Sr. Adv. (A.C.) (N.P.), Naina Kapoor, Meenakshi Arora, Hona Chettri, Tara Chandra Sharma, P. Parmeswaran, Sujit Kumar Bhattacharya, Goodwill Indeevar, Shashi Kiran, Anil Katiyar, D.N. Goburdhan, Pinky Anand, Geeta Luthra, Syed Ali Ahmad, Syed Tanweer Ahmad, G.G. Upadhyay and R.D. Upadhyay, Advs. for the appearing parties
Acts/Rules/Orders:
Constitution of India - Articles 13, 14, 15(3), 17, 18, 19, 20(1), 21 and 32; Indian Penal Code, 1860 - Sections 354, 375, 376, 376(2), 376A to 376D, 377, 506 and 511; Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 1983; Dowry Prohibition Act - Section 2; Foreign Exchange Regulation Act - Section 35 and 35(2); Customs Act - Section 104; Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act, 1976 - Section 1(1); Offences against Person Act, 1861 - Sections 18, 20, 42 and 47; Aliens Control Act, 1991 - Section 25(5); Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) - Sections 167(1), 167(2), 273, 327(1), 327(2) and 715.1
Cases Referred:
S. Gopal Reddy v. State of A.P., 1996 (4) SCC 596; Seaford Court Estates Ltd. v. Asher, (1949) 2 All ER 155; R v. R, (1991) 4 All ER 481; Directorate of Enforcement v. Deepak Mahajan and Anr., 1994 (3) SCC 440; Regina v. Burstow; Regina v. Ireland, 1997 (4) All ER 74; Gay and Lesbian Equality and Ors. v. The Minister of Home Affairs and Ors., Case CCT 10/99; Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan, 1997 (6) SCC 241; Lakshmi Kant Pandey v. Union of India, 1984 (2) SCC 244; State of Punjab v. Major Singh, 1966 (Supp) SCR 266; Mishri Lal v. Dhierendra Nath, 1999 (4) SCC 11; Muktul v. Manbhari, AIR 1958 SC 918; Admiralty Commrs. v. Valverda (Owners), 1938 AC 173 (AC); Button v. Director of Public Prosecution, 1966 AC 591; Her Majesty The Queen v. D.O.L. and the Attorney General of Canada, etc., (1993) 4 SCR 419; State of Maharashtra v. Dr. Praful B Desai, 2003 (4) SCC 601; State of Punjab v. Gurmit Singh, 1996 (2) SCC 384
Citing Reference:
* Mentioned
** Relied On
**** Distinguished
S. Gopal Reddy v. State of A.P. *
Seaford Court Estates Ltd. v. Asher *
R v. R ****
Directorate of Enforcement v. Deepak Mahajan and Anr. *
Regina v. Burstow; Regina v. Ireland ****
Gay and Lesbian Equality and Ors. v. The Minister of Home Affairs and Ors. *
Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan *
Lakshmi Kant Pandey v. Union of India *
State of Punjab v. Major Singh **
Mishri Lal v. Dhierendra Nath **
Her Majesty The Queen v. D.O.L. and the Attorney General of Canada, etc. **
State of Maharashtra v. Dr. Praful B Desai **
State of Punjab v. Gurmit Singh **
JUDGMENT
G.P. Mathur, J.
1. This writ petition under Article 32 of the Constitution has been filed by way of public interest litigation, by Sakshi, which is an organisation to provide legal, medical, residential, psychological or any other help, assistance or charitable support for women, in particular those who are victims of any kind of sexual abuse and/or harassment, violence or any kind of atrocity or violation and is a violence intervention centre. The respondents arrayed in the writ petition are (1) Union of India; (2) Ministry of Law and Justice; and (3) Commissioner of Police, New Delhi. The main reliefs claimed in the writ petition arc as under :
A) Issue a writ in the nature of a declaration or any other appropriate writ or direction declaring inter alia that "sexual intercourse" as contained in Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code shall include all forms of penetration such as penile/vaginal penetration, penile/oral penetration, penile/anal penetration, finger/vaginal and finger/anal penetration and object/vaginal penetration;
B) Consequently, issue a writ, order or direction in the nature of a direction to the respondents and its servants and agents to register all such cases found to be truly on investigation, offences falling within the broadened interpretation of "sexual intercourse" set out in prayer (A) aforesaid as offences under Section 375, 376 and 376A to 376D of the Indian Penal Code, 1860;
C) Issue such other writ order or direction as this Hon'ble Court may deem appropriate in the present facts and circumstances.
The petition is thus restricted to a declaratory relief and consequential directions.
2. It is set out in the writ petition that the petitioner has noticed with growing concern the dramatic increase of violence, in particular sexual violence against women and children as well as the implementation of the provisions of Indian Penal Code namely Sections 377, 375/376 and 354 by the respondent authorities. The existing trend of the respondent authorities has been to treat sexual violence, other than penile/vaginal penetration, as lesser offences falling under either Section 377 or 354 of the IPC and not as a sexual offence under Section 375/376 IPC. It has been found that offences such as sexual abuse of minor children and women by penetration other than penile/vaginal penetration, which would take any other form and could also be through use of objects whose impact on the victims is in no manner less than the trauma of penile/vaginal penetration as traditionally understood under Section 375/376, have been treated as offences tailing under Section 354 of the IPC ! as
outraging the modesty of a women or under Section 377 IPC as unnatural offenses.
3. The petitioner through the present petition contends that the narrow understanding and application of rape under Section 375/376 IPC only to the cases of penile/vaginal penetration runs contrary to the existing contemporary understanding of rape as an intent to humiliate, violate and degrade a woman or child sexually and, therefore, adversely affects the sexual integrity and autonomy of women and children in violation of Article 21 of the Constitution.
4. The petitioner submits that a plain reading of Section 375 would make it apparent that the term "sexual intercourse" has not been defined and is, therefore, subject to and is capable of judicial interpretation. Further the explanation to Section 375 IPC does not in any way limit the term penetration to mean penile/vaginal penetration. The definition of the term rape as contained in the Code is extremely wide and takes within its sweep various forms of sexual offenses. Limiting the understanding of "rape" to abuse by penile/vaginal penetration only, runs contrary to the contemporary understanding of sexual abuse law and denies majority of women and children access to adequate redress in violation of Article 14 and 21 of the Constitution. Statistics and figures indicate that sexual abuse of children, particularly minor girl, children by means and manner other than penile/vaginal penetration is common and may take the form of penile/anal penetration, peni! le/oral penetration,
finger/vaginal penetration or object/ vaginal penetration. It is submitted that by treating such forms of abuse as offenses falling under Section 354 IPC or 377 IPC, the very intent of the amendment of Section 376 IPC by incorporating Sub-section 2(f) therein is defeated. The said interpretation is also contrary to the contemporary understanding of sexual abuse and violence all over the world.
5. The petitioner submits that mere has for some time now been a growing body of feminist legal theory and jurisprudence which has clearly established rape as an experience of humiliation, degradation and violation rather than an outdated notion of penile/vaginal penetration. Restricting an understanding of rape in terms sought to be done by the respondent authorities and its agents reaffirms the view that rapists treat rape as sex and not violence and thereby condone such behaviour especially when it comes to sexual abuse of children.
6. In this regard, reference is invited to the observations of a renowned expert on the issue of sexual abuse :
"....... in rape .... the intent is not merely to "take", but to humiliate and degrade ..... Sexual assault in our day and age is hardly restricted to forced genital copulation, nor is it exclusively a male-on-female offence. Tradition and biologic opportunity have rendered vaginal rape a particular political crime with a particular political history, but the invasion may occur through the mouth or the rectum as well. And while the penis may remain the rapist's favourite weapon, his prime instrument of vengeance...... it is not in fact his only tool. Sticks, bottles and even fingers are often substituted for the "natural" thing. And as men may invade women through other offices, so too, do they invade other men. Who is to say that the sexual humiliation suffered through forced oral or rectal penetration is a lesser violation of the personal, private inner space, a lesser injury to mind, spirit and sense of self ?" (Susan Brownmiller, Against Our! Will 1986).
7. The petitioner further submits that the respondent authorities and their agents have failed to take into consideration the legislative purpose of Section 377 IPC. Reference has also been made to The Law Commission of India Report (No. 42) of 1971 pp. 281. While considering whether or not to retain Section 377 IPC, the Commission found as under :
"There are, however, a few sound reasons for retaining the existing law in India. First it cannot be disputed that homosexual acts and tendencies on the pan of one spouse may affect the married life and happiness of the other spouse, and from this point of view, making the acts punishable by law has social justification. Secondly, even assuming that acts done in private with consent do not in themselves constitute a serious evil, there is a risk involved in repealing legislation which has been in force for a long time........ Ultimately, the answer to the question whether homosexual acts ought to be punished depends on the view one takes of the relationship of criminal law to morals. .... We are inclined to think that Indian society, by and large, disapproves of homosexuality and this disapproval is strong enough to justify it being treated as a criminal offence even where adults indulge in it in private."
In view of the Commission's conclusions regarding the purview of Section 377 IPC, the said section was clearly intended to punish certain forms of private sexual relations perceived as immoral. Despite the same, the petitioner submits, the respondent authorities have, without any justification, registered those cases of sexual violence which would otherwise fall within the scope and ambit of Section 375/376 IPC, as cases of moral turpitude under Section 377 IPC. It is submitted that the respondent authorities and their agents have wrongly strained the language of Section 377 IPC intended to punish "homosexual" behaviour to punish more serious cases of sexual violence against women and children when the same ought to be dealt with as sexual offences within the meaning of Section 375/376 IPC in violation of Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India.
8. It is submitted that Article 15(3) of the Constitution of India allows for the State to make special provision for women and children. It follows that "special provision" necessarily implies "adequate" provision. Further, that the arbitrary and narrow interpretation sought to be placed by the respondent authorities and their agents on Section 375/376 renders the effectiveness of redress under the said Sections and in particular under Section 376(2)(f) meaningless in violation of Article 15(3) of the Constitution of India. The petitioner has also referred to the U.N. Right of Child Convention ratified by the respondent No. 1 on 11th December, 1993 as well as the U.N. Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women which was ratified in August 1993. In view of the ratification, the respondent No. 1 has created a legitimate expectation that it shall adhere to its International commitments as set out under the respective Conventions. In the p! resent case, however, the existing interpretation of rape sought to be imposed by the respondent authorities and their agents is in complete violation of such International commitments as have been upheld by this Court.
9. By an order passed on 3.11.2000 the parties were directed to formulate issues which arise for consideration. Accordingly, the petitioner has submitted the following issues and legal propositions which require consideration by the Court :
(a) Given that modem feminist legal theory and jurisprudence look at rape as an experience of humiliation, degradation and violation rather than an outdated notion of penile/vaginal penetration, whether the term "rape" should today be understood to include not only forcible penile/vaginal penetration but all forms of forcible penetration including penile/oral penetration, penile/anal penetration, object or finger/vaginal and object or finger/anal penetration.
(b) Whether all forms of non-consensual penetration should not be subsumed under Section 373 of the Indian Penal code and the same should not be limited to penile, vaginal penetration only.
(c) In particular, given the widespread prevalence of child sexual abuse and bearing in mind the provisions of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 1983 which specifically inserted Section 376(2)(f) envisaging the offence of "rape" of a girl child howsoever young below 12 years of age, whether the expression "sexual intercourse" as contained in Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code should correspondingly include all forms of penetration such as penile/vaginal penetration, penile/oral penetration, penile/anal penetration, finger/vagina and finger/anal penetration and object/vaginal penetration; and whether the expression "penetration" should not be so clarified in the Explanation to Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code.
(d) Whether a restrictive interpretation of "penetration" in the Explanation to Section 375 (rape) defeats the very purpose and intent of the provision for punishment for rape under Section 376(2)(f) "Whosoever commits rape on a woman when she is under twelve years of age."
(e) Whether, penetration abuse of a child below the age of 12 should no longer be arbitrarily classified according to the 'type' of penetration (ignoring the 'impact' on such child) either as an "unnatural offence" under Section 377 IPC for penile/oral penetration and penile/anal penetration or otherwise as "outraging the modesty of a woman" under Section 354 for finger penetration or penetration with an inanimate object.
(f) Whether non-consensual penetration of a child under the age of 12 should continue to be considered as offences under Section 377 ("Unnatural Offences") on par with certain forms of consensual penetration (such as consensual homosexual sex) where a consenting party can be held liable as an abettor or otherwise.
(g) Whether a purposive/teleological interpretation of "rape" under Section 375/376 requires taking into account the historical disadvantage faced by a particular group (in the present case, women and children) to show that the existing restrictive interpretation worsens that disadvantage and for that reason fails the test of equality within the meaning of Article 14 of the Constitution of India.
(h) Whether the. present narrow interpretation treating only eases of penile/vaginal penetration as rape, adversely affects the sexual integrity and autonomy of women and children in violation of Article 21 of Constitution of India.
10. Counter affidavit on behalf of respondents No. 1 and 2 has been filed by Mrs. G. Mukerjee. Director in the Ministry of Home Affairs. It is stated therein that Sections 375 and 376 have been substantially changed by the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 1983. The same Act has also introduced several new Sections viz. 376A, 376B, 376C and 376D IPC. These sections have bean inserted with a view to provide special/adequate provisions for women and children. The term "rape" has been clearly defined under Section 375 IPC. Penetration other than penile/vaginal penetration are unnatural sexual offences. Stringent punishments are provided for such unnatural offences under Section 377. The punishment provided under Section 377 is imprisonment for life or imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to 10 years and shall also be liable to fine. Section 377 deals with unnatural offences and provides for a punishment as severe as that provided for rape in Sect! ion 376. Section 354 and 506 have been framed with a view to punish lesser offence of criminal assault in the form of outraging the modesty of a woman, whereas Sections 376 and 377 provide stringent punishment for sexual offences. The types of several offences as mentioned by the petitioner i.e. penile/anus penetration, penile/oral penetration, finger/anile penetration, finger/vaginal penetration or object/vaginal penetration are serious sexual offences of unnatural nature and are to be covered under Section 377 which provides stringent punishment. Therefore, the plea of petitioner that offences under Section 377 are treated as lesser offences is incorrect. It is also submitted in the counter affidavit that penetration of the vagina, anus or urethra of any person with any part of the body of another person other than penile penetration is considered to be unnatural and has to be dealt with under Section 377 IPC. Section 376(2)(f) provides stringent punishment for committing rape on a woman ! when she is under the age of 12 years. Child sexual abuse of any nature, other than penile penetration, is obviously unnatural and are to be dealt with under Section 377 IPC. It is further submitted that Section 354 IPC provides for punishment for assault or criminal force to woman to outrage her modesty. Unnatural sexual offences can not be brought under the ambit of this Section. Rape defined under Section 375 is penile/vaginal penetration and all other sorts of penetration are considered to be unnatural sexual offences. Section 377 provides stringent punishment for such offences. It is denied that provisions of Sections 375, 376 and 377 are violative of fundamental rights, under Articles 14, 15(3) and 21 of the Constitution of India. Sexual penetration as penile/anal penetration, finger/vaginal and finger/anal penetration and object and vaginal penetration are most unnatural forms of perverted sexual behaviour for which Section 377 provides stringent punishment.
11. Ms. Meenakshi Arora, learned counsel for the petitioner has submitted that Indian Penal Code has to be interpreted in the light of the problems of present day and a purposive interpretation has to be given. She has submitted that Section 375 IPC should be interpreted in the current scenario, especially in regard to the fact that child abuse has assumed alarming proportion in recent times. Learned counsel has stressed that the words "sexual intercourse" in Section 375 IPC should be interpreted to mean all kinds of sexual penetration of any type of any orifice of the body and not the intercourse understood in the traditional sense. The words "sexual intercourse" having not been defined in the Penal Code, there is no impediment in the way of the Court to give it a wider meaning so that the various types of child abuse may come within its ambit and the conviction of an offender may be possible under Section 376 IPC, In this connection, she has referred to! United Nations Convention On
The Elimination Of All Forms Of Discrimination Against Women, 1979 and also Convention On The Rights Of The Child adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 20th February, 1989 and especially to Articles 17(e) and 19 thereof, which read as under :
Article 17
States Parties recognise the important function performed by the mass media and shall ensure that the child has access to information and material from a diversity of national and international sources, especially those aimed at the promotion of his or her social, spiritual and moral well-being and physical and mental health. To this end, States Parties shall --
(a) ................. (Omitted as not relevant)
(e) Encourage the development of appropriate guidelines for the protection of the child from information and material injurious to his or her well-being, bearing in mind the provisions of Articles 13 and 18. (contiuned)
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