New Delhi: Strongly disapproving of the sweeping observations made by the Calcutta High Court, including advising adolescent girls to control their sexual urges instead of giving in to “two minutes of pleasure” while deciding a criminal appeal, the Supreme Court urged judges to decide cases based on law and facts and not to indulge in preaching or expressing personal opinions in adjudication.
A bench of Justices Abhay Soka and Ujjal Bhuyan not only set aside the high court’s remarks but also its verdict in 2018 of acquitting an accused who was in physical relationship with a 14-year old minor girl and out of which a child was born.
The top court convicted him under the Pocso Act and said it would decide on the quantum of punishment. It also directed West Bengal govt to form a committee of three experts, including a clinical psychologist and a social scientist, to interact with the girl to help her make an informed choice whether she wants to continue to remain in the company of the accused or avail of the benefits offered by the state.
Referring to various observations made by the HC, including carving out a non-existing category of “romantic relationships” in rape cases and suggesting amendment in laws to decriminalise consensual sexual acts involving adolescents above 16 years, the court said the HC’s remarks were shocking.
“A judgment of the court cannot contain the judge’s personal opinions on various subjects. Similarly, advisory jurisdiction cannot be exercised by the court by incorporating advice to the parties or advice in general. The judge has to decide a case and not preach. The judgment cannot contain irrelevant and unnecessary material. A judgment must be in simple language and should not be verbose. Brevity is the hallmark of quality judgment,” the court said.
