The Madras High Court has issued a significant directive to the Tamil Nadu government and key state bodies, mandating them to closely monitor the effective enforcement of laws designed to safeguard women and children. This order aims to address the alarming rise in heinous crimes against these vulnerable groups.
PIL That Sparked the Judicial Intervention
The court's direction stems from a public interest litigation (PIL) filed back in 2019 by petitioners Karthikeya Sivasenapathy and Karuppasamy Pandian. They had brought to light the increasing incidents of serious crimes targeting women and children. In their plea, they specifically requested the formation of an all-women protection committee, which would be led by a retired woman judge from the high court.
State's Response and Existing Framework
In response to the court, the authorities presented details of the mechanisms already in place. They informed the bench that the Tamil Nadu State Commission for Women had been constituted through a government order issued in 2017. This commission is currently headed by a retired IAS officer and includes members such as a woman IAS officer, IPS officers, and women MLAs.
Furthermore, the Inspector General of Police, South Zone, submitted a comprehensive report outlining the various steps undertaken by the police force to curb crimes against women and children.
Court's Observations and the New SOP
A division bench comprising Justice G Jayachandran and Justice K K Ramakrishnan carefully examined the submissions. The judges observed that if the State Commission for Women functions effectively according to its mandate, the protection of women and children would be substantially addressed.
The bench also took note of a crucial development from the Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department. The department has formulated a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and issued a related government order on June 18, 2025. While this SOP primarily lays down clear guidelines for protecting women in workplaces, the bench suggested its scope could be beneficially extended to cover children in schools and other institutions as well.
Court's Final Directive
Acknowledging the measures reported by the state, the court directed all concerned agencies — including the state government, the Commission for Women, the Commission for Protection of Child Rights, and other stakeholders — to diligently monitor the enforcement of statutory protections. After issuing this directive, the court disposed of the 2019 petition, placing the onus of implementation on the executive machinery.
This judicial order underscores the legal system's proactive role in ensuring that protective laws translate into tangible safety and security for women and children across Tamil Nadu.
