The Supreme Court on Wednesday lashed out at lower courts over settlement in rape cases, saying any such attempt for mediation is against the dignity of women.
Taking a tough stand on the issue, the apex court said courts cannot take a soft approach on mediation promoting wedlock, terming "any attempt of mediation" between a rapist and a victim as illegal.
"It is a spectacular error on the part of the court to promote any such mediation," said the Supreme Court.
The observation by the Supreme Court came just days after the Madras High Court granted bail to a rape accused to 'mediate' with the survivor.
Justice P Devadass of the Madras High Court referred a case of the rape convict to its mediation centre to settle the matter taking note of the future of the victim, a ruling that had sparked controversy.
The victim, who was a minor when the incident took place, however said that she did not want to mediate with the culprit or marry him. She also lost her parents following the incident and gave birth to a child as well.
The decision by the Madras High Court had invited sharp criticism. A group of lawyers approached the Chief Justice of the Madras HC to urge the court to recall the order.
The Tamil State Women's Commission had called the judgement a good move, saying that it was upto the victim to take the step to reconciliate with her rapist.
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