In a recent horrific incident, a female advocate was found murdered and thrown, unclothed, into a canal in Uttar Pradesh. Her murder is not an isolated case but part of a disturbing trend of violence, harassment, and intimidation faced by female advocates in India. This tragedy raises a critical question—how can justice be served when those entrusted with upholding it are not safe?
The Unraveling of Justice: A Recent Horror
The murdered advocate had reportedly been receiving threats due to her work on sensitive cases involving powerful individuals. Despite her requests for protection, her concerns were ignored, and her body, desecrated and discarded, now symbolizes the vulnerability of female advocates in India.Where on one side we are fighting for justice for RG kar resident doctor rape and murder, Witnessing all this yet again is heartwrenching.The question arises is there any profession which is safe for women anymore?
A Pattern of Intimidation and Violence
This recent murder highlights a disturbing reality—female advocates frequently face threats and violence while performing their duties. In 2020, advocate Darshana Pandey was brutally attacked after handling a case against a local politician. Despite multiple warnings about the threats she received, the authorities failed to act. Pandey’s case is just one of many where the system fails to protect those who fight for justice.
Harassment in Courtrooms: A Silent Epidemic
Harassment within the legal profession is another pressing issue. In 2019, a senior advocate at the Delhi High Court was suspended for verbally harassing a junior female lawyer during court proceedings. Despite the blatant violation of her rights, the junior lawyer struggled to find support, as many feared professional backlash.
Similarly, in Tamil Nadu, advocate Lekha Joseph faced ostracism after filing a sexual harassment complaint against a judge. The system's slow response to such cases shows how power imbalances overshadow justice.A Culture of Silence and FearFor many female advocates, silence is often the only option. Harassment and threats extend beyond the courtroom, and the lack of support from law enforcement only amplifies their struggles.
In 2018, advocate Meenakshi Pillai from Kerala was attacked while returning home after a late-night hearing. Despite repeated calls for an investigation, no arrests were made, reflecting a larger pattern of indifference. Female lawyers are left vulnerable, with no assurance that the system will protect them.
A Profession at Risk
The murder of the female advocate in Uttar Pradesh is the latest example of the dangers women face in the legal profession. Many female lawyers are forced to leave the profession due to constant harassment, threats, and violence.
Statistics reveal that female advocates experience higher rates of intimidation than their male counterparts, and fear of retaliation often compels them to remain silent. This toxic environment raises the question—how can the justice system function when its protectors are constantly under threat?
The System's Failure to Protect Its Own
The systemic failure to protect female advocates is an indictment of the larger legal and law enforcement framework. Mechanisms to safeguard these women, such as police protection and harassment inquiries, are often inadequate. This lack of institutional support allows perpetrators of harassment and violence to continue without consequences. Female advocates are left to fend for themselves in a profession that should prioritize their safety.
The Path to Reform
While organizations like the Bar Council of India have implemented policies to combat harassment within the legal profession, significant changes are yet to be seen. Female advocates remain vulnerable, and the slow pace of reform only exacerbates the dangers they face. True reform requires addressing both the systemic roots of harassment and the broader cultural attitudes that enable such behavior to persist.ConclusionThe murder of the female advocate in Uttar Pradesh, along with the numerous cases of harassment and violence faced by female lawyers, reveals a deep flaw in India’s legal system. Female advocates, entrusted with ensuring justice, often find themselves deprived of it. How can justice be served when those who uphold it are left vulnerable and unprotected?
The legal profession must undergo meaningful reform to ensure that those who fight for justice can do so without fear for their own safety. Until then, justice in India remains a distant ideal, especially for those who have dedicated their lives to upholding it.
I acknowledge that male advocates also face violence, intimidation, and even death while fighting for justice. However, for women lawyers, the risks often extend beyond physical harm. Female advocates are not only threatened with death but also endure gender-specific violence, such as rape, harassment, and degradation of their dignity. While men may be targeted for their cases, women face an added layer of gender-based abuse. Female advocates are often violated in ways that attack both their bodies and their sense of self, making their struggles for justice uniquely harrowing.
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