The Delhi High Court to ensure that every rape victim in Delhi is offered a DSLSA panel lawyer and counselling services from the initial stages of the case instructed Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) to provide counselling from initial stages of trial for Rape Victims. This judgment was given by the Bench comprising of J. S. Muralidhar and J. I.S. Mehta while listening to the case of a rape victim and it also reinstated the guidelines laid down in the case of Delhi Commission for Women v. Delhi Police.
The pivotal role is played by Delhi Commission for Women, to whom these guidelines were submitted. It aims to tackle crimes of sexual offences in consonance with inputs from concerned departments such as police, Judges etc. The guidelines cover varying subjects pertaining to sexual offences including incest and child sexual abuse.
The court in its judgment stated that the services shall be offered from the stage of taking statement under Section 164 of the CrPC and subsequently throughout the trial, which may continue until the disposal of an appeal, if any.
The above judgment was pursuant to an Appeal challenging a judgment passed by a lower court convicting the Appellants for kidnapping and raping a 13 year old girl.