Supreme Court releases handbook on gender-sensitive judicial writing; clarifies key legal issues

The Supreme Court released a Handbook on Judgments and Gender this week, directing all courts nationwide to adopt gender-sensitive and compassionate language in judicial writing. The handbook discourages use of terms like "helpless woman" and "self-respecting woman," emphasising that emotional intelligence complements judicial competence.

The Court clarified that "criminal antecedents" in the NEET 2026 protest violence case refers to "grave and heinous offences." It also addressed the applicability of Section 498-A IPC to live-in relationships and examined issues including married daughters' rights to compassionate appointment, deaths caused by stray animals, and unauthorised constructions.

Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court issued significant orders on personality rights involving public figures, while courts across the country examined matters concerning maintenance, food safety, elevator safety, corruption, recruitment and defamation.