The Central government has supported the stand of the petitioners against the practice of female genital mutilation..Appearing for the Centre, Attorney General KK Venugopal told the Court that the practice is a crime under existing laws..The Court was hearing a petition filed by advocate Sunita Tiwari challenging the practice prevalent among Dawoodi Bohra community as illegal and unconstitutional..The petitioner has asked for guidelines to be put in place for tackling the practice. It has also sought directions to be issued to police officials to take action under IPC till stricter laws are framed..The Centre told the Court that it would also prefer directions to be issued by the Supreme Court in this regard..An intervention application has also been filed by Dilshad Tavawalla, a Dawoodi Bohra female, who has suffered this gruesome act since the age of 7. Anand Grover along with Karanjawala & Co Senior Partner Nandini Gore appeared for the intervenor, which has been allowed by the Court..The Court adjourned the matter for July 9, while adding two more States, Kerala and Telangana, as parties to the matter. A copy of the petition has to be served on the Standing counsel of both the States..The Court had earlier issued notice to Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Delhi..Read the order below.
The Central government has supported the stand of the petitioners against the practice of female genital mutilation..Appearing for the Centre, Attorney General KK Venugopal told the Court that the practice is a crime under existing laws..The Court was hearing a petition filed by advocate Sunita Tiwari challenging the practice prevalent among Dawoodi Bohra community as illegal and unconstitutional..The petitioner has asked for guidelines to be put in place for tackling the practice. It has also sought directions to be issued to police officials to take action under IPC till stricter laws are framed..The Centre told the Court that it would also prefer directions to be issued by the Supreme Court in this regard..An intervention application has also been filed by Dilshad Tavawalla, a Dawoodi Bohra female, who has suffered this gruesome act since the age of 7. Anand Grover along with Karanjawala & Co Senior Partner Nandini Gore appeared for the intervenor, which has been allowed by the Court..The Court adjourned the matter for July 9, while adding two more States, Kerala and Telangana, as parties to the matter. A copy of the petition has to be served on the Standing counsel of both the States..The Court had earlier issued notice to Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Delhi..Read the order below.
