The Madras High Court on Saturday recalled a controversial order it had issued earlier directing a mediation between a rape victim and the culprit.
Justice P. Devadass also cancelled the interim bail granted to the convict and also directed him to surrender before a Mahila court in Cuddalore by Monday.
The court has also directed the Additional Public Prosecutor to file a counter in the appeal bail plea in two weeks while the Mediation Centre official was asked stop the parties from attending the mediation.
The new order came days after the Supreme Court took a critical note on this attitude saying it was against the dignity of women.
The apex court had observed that it would be a “spectacular error” to adopt any kind of liberal approach in sexual assault cases.
The High Court had earlier referred a case of the rape convict to its mediation centre to settle the matter taking note of the future of the victim, a ruling that had sparked controversy.
To facilitate the mediation, the court had also granted bail to the rapist, A Mohan, who was convicted by a Mahila Court in Cuddalore to undergo seven years imprisonment and fined Rs 2 lakh in July 2012.
In his interim order, Justice Devadass had said that the court felt that this was a fit case for attempting compromise between the parties. He had held that there was no bar to attempt at reconciliation even in a criminal appeal where the accused has been convicted for rape.
The High Court decision had evoked strong criticism even from the members of legal fraternity, including activists and the social media.