New Delhi | October 12, 2025 — Chief Justice of India Bhushan Ramakrishna Gavai on Saturday expressed deep concern over the growing threats faced by girls and women in the digital age, including cyberbullying, online harassment, and misuse of technology through deepfake imagery.
Speaking at the National Stakeholders Consultation on “Safeguarding the Girl Child: Towards a Safer and Enabling Environment for Her in India”, the CJI called for specialised laws and dedicated training for law enforcement agencies to address the evolving challenges of online exploitation.
“The protection of the girl child must be a core priority of digital governance,” Justice Gavai said, adding that laws addressing online sexual exploitation, digital trafficking, and cyber harassment must go hand in hand with education, awareness, and effective enforcement.
‘Safety Cannot Exist Where Dignity Is Denied’
Emphasising that true safety stems from equality and respect, the CJI stated, “Safety cannot exist where dignity is denied, voices are silenced, or dreams are constrained by circumstance.”
He noted that a nation’s moral strength is reflected in how it treats its most vulnerable members. “The destiny of a nation is tied to the empowerment of its daughters,” he said, urging society to dismantle patriarchal customs that continue to restrict women’s opportunities.
“Securing a girl child’s safety is not merely about protecting her body but freeing her spirit — ensuring she can live with dignity, pursue education, and enjoy equality,” the CJI added.
Addressing Gender Bias and Legal Inclusion
Justice Gavai also spoke about the need to eliminate gender bias within the legal profession. He criticised the reluctance of some lawyers to hire women due to assumptions about maternity leave or commitment, calling such biases “unfair and counterproductive.”
“Lawyers must reflect in their own practices the same principles of equality and justice they advocate in court,” he said.
He further emphasised the importance of making the legal system accessible beyond metropolitan areas, ensuring that people from all regions feel represented and connected to the judicial process.
Confronting Social Barriers
The CJI highlighted the disproportionate risks faced by girls due to social and economic inequalities, including trafficking, child marriage, malnutrition, and sex-selective abortions. He called for a deeper examination of the barriers that continue to limit girls’ lives and opportunities.
Quoting Rabindranath Tagore’s “Where the Mind is Without Fear,” Justice Gavai said that India’s dream of true freedom will remain incomplete “as long as any girl in the country lives in fear of violence, discrimination, or denial of opportunity.”
Personal Reflections
Drawing from his own life, Justice Gavai recalled being born into a low-caste family but never accepting the notion of untouchability. “The Constitution recognised my dignity as equal to that of every other citizen. It offered not just protection but the promise of opportunity and social recognition,” he said.
He also shared an experience from his early days as a lawyer, when he helped a man from a marginalised community secure an appointment as a doctor — a breakthrough that inspired hope for an entire community.
“What may seem like an ordinary case to some can become a milestone of progress for others,” he said, underscoring the transformative power of equal access and opportunity.
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