A self-proclaimed woman political analyst from Ahmedabad, Devshri Trivedi claims to have sent packets of contraceptives to Justice Pushpa Ganediwala to protest against the POCSO ruling that had sent wrong signals to criminals in the society. A group of lawyers has urged the Bombay High Court administration to initiate the contempt proceedings against the woman.
The woman has sent 12 packets to 12 different locations including Justice Ganediwala’s residence, her chamber, the registry of the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court, and the principal seat in Mumbai.
Devshri Trivedi from Ahmedabad even uploaded a video on Youtube in which she can be seen packaging the contraceptives in different packages. She uploaded the video on February 13 and claimed that she had sent the parcels on February 9. Trivedi also claimed that the parcels have been received in some of the delivery locations.
However, the Nagpur bench has denied the claims and said they didn’t receive any such packet.
Registrar Sanjay Bharuka stated, “We’re not supposed to comment on such issues, as it is out of our jurisdiction. He would neither confirm nor deny queries in this regard.”
A group of lawyers has urged the High Court administration to lodge an FIR against the woman and even file a contempt case against her. Senior advocate of the Nagpur Bar Association, Shrirang Bhandarkar said, “No one can defame and lower the dignity of a judge in such a manner. If the registry fails to take any action, we will lodge an FIR against her. We severely condemn the Gujarat woman’s move. This is a clear case of contempt. We demand that action should be taken against this woman.”
Trivedi said that she took this action to protest against the controversial POCSO rulings that Justice Ganediwala has been giving. “Condoms are a mark of symbol on the judge’s skin-to-skin verdict where she let off a man accused of groping the breasts of a 12-year-old girl without removing her clothes. She ruled that as there’s no skin contact, his act doesn’t come under the purview of sexual assault. I found it bizarre and can understand the pain of the girl and her family,” said Trivedi.
Trivedi also added that she is going to start a campaign against Justice Ganediwala and her POCSO verdicts including “skin-to-skin contact necessary to constitute sexual assault”, “unzipping pant and holding hands of a minor doesn’t amount to sexual assault”, among others.
“I waited for all these days to see whether any of our political leaders raise their voice. Surprisingly, no one came to support victims of the perpetrators that were let off by the judge. Therefore, I’ve decided to take her on. I challenge her to answer my questions. I don’t have fear of contempt, as I too know the law and have every right to protest,” Trivedi told.
The woman praised the Supreme Court decision to stay the January 19 “skin-to-skin” verdict. Trivedi also urged for dismissal of Justice Ganediwala from the service and said, “The judge has no right to stay in chair after delivering such judgments that would encourage crimes against women. I would continue to send her condoms packet until she comes face to face and answers my queries.”
Justice Pushpa Ganediwala is working as an additional judge in Bombay High Court. The Supreme Court collegium has recommended her to be elevated as the permanent judge in January 2021. But, following the controversial POCSO judgments given by her, SC collegium withdrew the recommendation.
