Legal Framework for Women's Rights — Landmark Judgments

Landmark Judgments

Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan

1997

This landmark judgment laid down the 'Vishaka Guidelines' to prevent sexual harassment of women at the workplace. In the absence of specific legislation, the Supreme Court…

Shayara Bano v. Union of India

2017

This historic judgment declared the practice of instant triple talaq (talaq-e-biddat) unconstitutional. A 3:2 majority of the Supreme Court held that this form of divorce,…

Joseph Shine v. Union of India

2018

The Supreme Court unanimously struck down Section 497 of the Indian Penal Code, which criminalized adultery, as unconstitutional. The Court held that Section 497 was arbitrary…

Independent Thought v. Union of India

2017

This judgment addressed the exception to Section 375 IPC (rape) that allowed sexual intercourse with a wife between 15 and 18 years of age without her consent. The Supreme Court…