Top Women’s Rights Judgments – April 2025 | LegalWiki
Author: Shivani Agrawal, Gitarattan International Business School, Delhi
Key Supreme Court and High Court Rulings Advancing Women’s Rights in Criminal Law
In April 2025, the Supreme Court and various High Courts across India delivered landmark judgments that strengthened protections for women in criminal law. These rulings addressed gender-based violence, fair procedures in sexual offence cases, and police accountability, marking a shift toward a more victim-centric and rights-based approach to justice.
NHRC Slams MP Police Over Missing Girl Case, Seeks Report in 2 Weeks
NHRC took suo motu cognisance of police inaction in a Bhopal missing child case, highlighting broader concerns over rising disappearances of women and girls in Madhya Pradesh. Read more..
Kerala High Court: Wife’s Right to Maintenance Cannot Be Waived by Agreement
The Kerala High Court held that a woman’s right to maintenance under the Domestic Violence Act cannot be waived by private agreements, rejecting a husband’s plea based on a notarised waiver. Read more..
Digital Rape Allegation: Medanta ICU Technician Arrested for Sexually Assaulting Ventilated Patient
A 25-year-old Medanta technician was arrested for digitally raping a ventilated flight attendant in the ICU, while two nurses reportedly failed to act. Read more..
Delhi HC Issues Orders for Urgent Legal & Medical Support for Minor Rape Victims Seeking Pregnancy Termination
The Delhi High Court issued guidelines to ensure timely legal and medical aid for minor rape victims seeking late-term abortion, following a case involving a 15-year-old pregnant beyond 27 weeks. Read more..
Maharashtra Grants Legal Relief to Widows by Limiting Court Fees on Succession Matters to ₹10,000
Maharashtra reduced the maximum court fee for widows from ₹75,000 to ₹10,000 for probate and related applications, easing legal access. Read more..
Supreme Court Upholds the Validity of Section 84 BNS/498A IPC, Dismisses Misuse Allegations
The Supreme Court upheld the validity of Section 84 BNS/498A IPC, ruling that criminalising cruelty by husbands or in-laws against women does not violate Article 14, despite claims of gender-specific protection. Read more..
Witness Examination Under Domestic Violence Act Can Be Done Through an Affidavit: Delhi High Court
The Delhi High Court ruled that witness testimony under the Domestic Violence Act can be submitted via affidavit, as proceedings are civil in nature, rejecting a husband's challenge to such evidence. Read more..
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