A Slap on the Face of Justice: Condemning Allahabad HC's Disastrous Decision

The recent judgment by the Allahabad High Court, which ruled that grabbing a minor's breasts and breaking her pyjama string does not constitute an attempt to rape, has sent shockwaves across the nation. Delivered by Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra, this decision is nothing short of a slap in the face of justice and a betrayal of the very principles that the judiciary is meant to uphold.

Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra

Here is what Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra observed:

"...the allegation against accused Pawan and Akash is that they grabbed the breasts of the victim and Akash tried to bring down lower garment of the victim and for that purpose, they had broken string of her lower garments and tried to drag her beneath the culvert, but due to intervention of witnesses they left the victim and fled away from the place of incident. This fact is not sufficient to draw an inference that the accused persons had determined to commit rape on the victim as apart from these facts no other act is attributed to them to further their alleged desire to commit rape on the victim."

Let’s break down this judgment, which has left the nation full of anger.

Justice Mishra observed that the accused, Pawan and Akash, were merely in the "preparation stage" and not the "attempt stage" of committing rape. According to the Hon'ble Judge, the accused grabbing the victim's breasts, breaking the string of her lower garments, and attempting to drag her beneath a culvert did not demonstrate a "determined intent" to commit rape. Instead, the intervention of witnesses was cited as the reason the accused fled the scene

Preparation? Really?

If this is preparation, then what qualifies as an attempt? Should the victim have been stripped entirely? Should the act have progressed further before it is deemed an "attempt"? This judgment raises a chilling question: does the judiciary require a victim to endure even greater trauma before acknowledging the severity of the crime? The accused were not merely preparing—they were actively violating the victim's dignity and safety. The line between preparation and attempt was crossed the moment they laid hands on her with malicious intent.

What If No One Intervened?

Also, Hon'ble Justice said "Due to the intervention of witnesses they left the victim and fled away from the place of the incident", the question is What if no one intervened and the victim was raped? Would the court have then acknowledged the act as an attempt to rape? This reasoning is not just flawed—it is dangerous. It places the burden of justice on the presence of bystanders rather than on the actions of the accused. The judiciary must not gamble with the safety of victims by downplaying such heinous acts.

The Psychology of Crime

There is research that says that every big crime does have a background of multiple small crimes if someone has been punished at a small stage or at a starting stage then there are chances that he will not try to do that crime again. In this case, the accused crossed a significant moral and legal boundary. By letting them off with a lighter charge, the court has failed not only the victim but also society at large. Also, this gives the accused a sense of security and probably will give him the motivation to attempt the rape again who will be responsible then?

Who will be accountable?

This decision is not just a mistake in law—it is a failure of morality. It damages the trust that victims have in the justice system and sends a deeply concerning signal to society. Judges must be responsible for decisions that risk the safety and dignity of people, especially children. Justice is not only about applying rules—it is about defending the weak and ensuring fairness and decency for all.

Final Thoughts

The recent judgment by the Allahabad High Court shows clear problems in our legal system and why urgent changes are needed. This is not just a small mistake—it goes against the very idea of what justice should be. It is a wake-up call for the entire country to demand better, not only for this victim but for everyone who depends on the courts to keep them safe and treat them fairly.

This is not a moment to stay silent. It is a time to speak up, take action, and ask for accountability. Justice cannot fail—it has to protect people when they need it most.

What do you think about this judgment? Do you believe decisions like these make it harder to fight such crimes, or is there another side to consider? Share your thoughts—justice needs your voice!