India's Supreme Court reversed a lower court’s decision, ordering a rape trial for an 11-year-old girl’s assault, rejecting claims that the acts didn’t constitute rape.

The Supreme Court of India has maintained a stay on the Allahabad High Court’s 2025 ruling that breast-grabbing, loosening a woman’s clothing, and dragging her under a culvert did not constitute rape or attempted rape. Led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, the top court directed the accused in an 11-year-old girl’s case to be tried on rape and attempted rape charges under the IPC and POCSO Act, rejecting lesser offenses. The bench emphasized judicial sensitivity in gender-based violence cases, criticized previous rulings for discouraging victims, and announced it will issue comprehensive guidelines to prevent insensitive language. It tasked amicus curiae Shobha Gupta with compiling similar controversial judgments nationwide. The matter stems from a suo moto case and a linked appeal, with the court warning that flawed reasoning must not delay justice.