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Didn't ask rape accused to marry victim, clarifies CJI Bobde

Bobde slammed "complete misreporting" of the proceedings last week

bobde pti (File) CJI S.A. Bobde | PTI

Chief Justice of India S.A. Bobde was subjected to heavy criticism for most of last week for allegedly asking a rape accused whether he was willing to marry the victim.

Bobde had purportedly made the remarks while hearing a plea from a public servant against the cancellation of his anticipatory bail after he was accused of repeatedly raping a girl. The plea had been heard by a bench headed by Bobde and comprising Justices S. Bopanna and V. Ramasubramanian.

On Monday, Bobde issued a clarification on the remarks. Bobde slammed the "complete misreporting" of the proceedings last week.

At the start of the hearing of a minor girl's plea to terminate a pregnancy on Monday, Bobde was quoted by Bar and Bench as saying, "We have given highest respect to womanhood. We asked are you going to marry. We didn't order (him to) 'marry'."

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta offered support to Bobde. Mehta was quoted by Bar and Bench as saying the chief justice was quoted out of context.

Bobde had mentioned Section 165 of the Indian Evidence Act, which empowered judges to ask questions to obtain proof of facts during judicial proceedings.

The Supreme Court adjourned the matter of the minor girl's request to terminate her pregnancy, currently at 26 weeks, for hearing until March 12 and expressed its desire to meet her parents.

The purported remarks last week had drawn a backlash, with some intellectuals and activists even calling on Bobde to resign. 

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