BackSupreme Court to examine female genital mutilation issue
Supreme Court asks the Centre and four states to respond to a PIL seeking to formulate laws for addressing the issue of female genital mutilation
Premium
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to examine the issue of female genital mutilation (FGM), or khatna, widely prevalent among the Dawoodi Bohra community.
A bench comprising chief justice J.S. Khehar, justices D.Y. Chandrachud and Sanjay Kishan Kaul sought responses from the Centre and four states—Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Delhi —to a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking to formulate laws to address the issue.
The apex court termed the issue “extremely important and sensitive."
ALSO READ: Genital mutilation case: 2 Indian doctors, woman indicted in US
The petition filed by women’s rights activist Sunita Tiwari highlights the lack of criminal law provisions to punish those who subject young girls to FGM. It also seeks implementation of December 2012 resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly on banning FGM. India is a signatory to the resolution.
Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!
