JUDGEMENT

INDEX TO THE JUDGMENT PRELUDE ............................................................................................... 3 RELIEFS SOUGHT BEFORE THIS COURT ..................................... 4 FACTUAL BACKDROP ......................................................................... 7 ORDERS PASSED BY THIS COURT ................................................. 10 SUBMISSIONS ON BEHALF OF PETITIONER ............................. 11 W.P.(CRL) 3502/2023 Page 2 of 64 SUBMISSIONS ON BEHALF OF STATE ......................................... 16 REPORT OF AMICUS CURIAE ......................................................... 17 ISSUES AT THE CORE ....................................................................... 20 WHO IS A PARDANASHIN WOMAN ............................................... 21 Meaning in Strict Legal Connotation of the Term ......................................... 21 Judicial Precedents defining ‘Pardanashin Woman’ ....................................... 23 The Changing Meaning and Notions of the Concept of ‘Pardanashin Woman’ ................................................................................................................ 26 PARDANASHIN WOMAN: EXAMINING THE MEANING IN THE CONTEXT OF PETITIONER’S USAGE ................................. 27 History Behind the Veil: Understanding Pardah in Various Cultures ......... 29 Hinduism ................................................................................................................................... 29 Hinduism: Religion vs. Dharma ................................................................................... 35 Sikhism ....................................................................................................................................... 37 Christianity, Judaism, Jainism ........................................................................................ 37 Islam ............................................................................................................................................. 38 POLICING IN BHARAT: MULTIFACETED DUTIES & SOCIAL CONTEXT ............................................................................................ 39 Test of Reasonability and Compelling Public Interest................................... 40 Multi-cultural Land of Bharat & Policing ........................................................ 41 WHETHER THE CURRENT LEGAL FRAMEWORK IS SUFFICIENT TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE IN QUESTION? ........... 42 Present Day Legal Framework for Protection of the Dignity of Women During Investigation of a Criminal Case ......................................................... 42 Procedure of Arrest of a Woman ................................................................................ 42 Procedure for Search .......................................................................................................... 43 Whether the Petitioner has made out a case, Necessitating Issuance of any Directions? .................................................................................................... 46 Argument regarding Right to Dignity under Article 21 vis-a-vis Pardanashin Women .......................................................................................... 50 The Concept of Judgment Impact ................................................................... 51 DIRECTIVES ISSUED BY COURTS: NEED TO BE JUSTICE DRIVEN AND NOT FAITH DRIVEN .............................................. 52 W.P.(CRL) 3502/2023 Page 3 of 64 Article 25 of the Constitution has arisen for the religions and not from the religions .......................................................................................................... 53 A JUDGE’S PURE FIDELITY TO THE APPLICATION OF LAW IN CONSONANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENT OF MODERN BHARAT ................................................................................................ 55 The Social Face of Law: Judges