Family mediation can harm abuse victims, says SC judge Nagarathna

Supreme Court judge BV Nagarathna has cautioned that mediation in family disputes can be detrimental to women experiencing violence, coercive control, or significant power imbalances.

The judge's remarks highlight concerns about the limits of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms when serious safety issues are at stake in domestic relationships. The warning suggests that while mediation can be useful in some contexts, it may not be appropriate or protective for vulnerable parties in abusive situations.