Gujarat woman sends condoms to judge to protest against 'no skin-to-skin contact' verdict

Photo for representational purpose

A self-proclaimed political analyst from Ahmedabad sent a packet of condoms to Justice Pushpa Ganediwala to protest against her controversial judgments that had sent "wrong signals to the criminals in the society".

Ganediwala had given controversial judgments like ‘groping without skin to skin contact' and ‘unzipping pants or holding a minor's hand' is not sexual assault under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO).

The analyst, Devshri Trivedi, also uploaded videos on YouTube, showing her packing about 150 condoms in 12 packets on February 13 that she mailed to various addresses in Nagpur including the high court registry and the judge's official residence. She also sent some packets to HC's principal bench at Mumbai, stated a report in The Times of India.

Trivedi claimed she had valid receipts of the registered parcels through which she dispatched the packets. HC registry here refused to comment. She claimed she had receipts of her parcels being received by a person named Haridas at HC registry in Nagpur at 5.11pm on Monday.

"We're not supposed to comment on such issues, as it is out of our jurisdiction," registrar (Administration) Sanjay Bharuka said, adding that he would neither confirm nor deny any queries in this regard.

A group of lawyers practising at the Nagpur bench expressed outrage over the Gujarat woman's move and called on the HC administration to lodge an FIR against her and even file a contempt case. "No one can defame and lower the dignity of a judge in such a manner. If the registry fails to take any action, we will lodge an FIR against her. We severely condemn the Gujarat woman's move," lawyer Shreerang Bhandarkar said.

Defending her act, Trivedi said she was disgusted over the way the judge pronounced a series of judgments acquitting the accused who had sexually assaulted minor girls. "Condoms are a mark of symbol on the judge's skin-to-skin verdict where she let off a man accused of groping the breasts of a 12-year-old girl without removing her clothes. She ruled that as there's no skin contact, his act doesn't come under the purview of sexual assault. I found it bizarre and can understand the pain of the girl and her family," she said.

Trivedi declared she would be starting a campaign against Ganediwala for her controversial judgments under the POCSO Act.

"I waited for all these days to see whether any of our political leaders raise their voice. Surprisingly, no one came to support victims of the perpetrators that were let off by the judge. I challenge her to answer my questions. I don't have fear of contempt, as I too know the law and have every right to protest."

Lauding the Supreme Court for taking cognizance and immediately staying Ganediwala's skin-to-skin verdict, Trivedi said due to her controversial rulings, the minor survivor failed to get justice.

"The judge has no right to stay in chair after delivering such judgments that would encourage crimes against women. I would continue to send her condoms' packet until she comes face to face and answers my queries," she added.