Touching a Woman's Chest Is Not R*pe, Says Judge; Union Minister Expresses Outrage

Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi has expressed strong displeasure over recent remarks made by Allahabad High Court Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra, stating that touching a woman’s chest does not constitute r*pe. Annapurna Devi condemned the judgment as unacceptable and urged the Supreme Court to review the decision. She expressed concern that such judgments could send misleading signals to society.

The controversy arose from a 2021 sexual harassment case that was under review by the Allahabad High Court. During the hearing, Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra made remarks that many critics claim were favorable to the accused.

The incident in question took place in Kasganj, Uttar Pradesh, where a woman and her 11-year-old daughter were returning from a relative’s house. Three young men from the same village allegedly followed them and persuaded the woman to let her daughter ride on their motorcycle, promising to drop her home.

According to the complaint, the men attempted to sexually assault the girl during the journey and harassed her by touching her inappropriately. Her screams attracted the attention of passersby, prompting the accused to flee the scene.

Following a complaint filed by the victim’s family, the police registered a case, which eventually reached the Allahabad High Court. During a recent hearing, Justice Mishra ruled that merely touching a woman’s chest does not fall under the category of r*pe, delivering a judgment that has sparked widespread criticism.

Reacting to the judgment, Union Minister Annapurna Devi urged the Supreme Court to reconsider the verdict. She expressed concern that such rulings could have a detrimental impact on societal perceptions of justice and safety.