Supreme Court Issues Slew Of Directions To Make Criminal Justice Disabled-Friendly

The top court asked the National Crimes Record to seriously consider the possibility of maintaining disaggregated data on gender-based violence.

Expressing concern over sexual violence against women and girls with disabilities, the Supreme Court on Tuesday issued slew of directions to make criminal justice system more disabled-friendly. The top court said that for many disabled women and girls in India, the threat of violence is an all-too-familiar fixture of their lives, contracting their constitutionally guaranteed freedom to move freely and curtailing their ability to lead full and active lives. "This threat of violence can translate into a nagging feeling of powerlessness and lack of control, making the realization of the promises held by the Constitution a remote possibility for women with disabilities." it said. A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and MR Shah said changes in the law on the books mark a significant step forward, much work still needs to be done in order to ensure that their fruits are realised.