No soft approach: Directing a settlement in rape cases is spectacular error, says Supreme Court

New Delhi: Coming down hard on attempts to find a settlement in rape cases, the Supreme Court on Wednesday dubbed such a compromise as a ‘spectacular error’.

A few days ago, a Tamil Nadu judge had ordered mediation between a rape accused and the victim. The crime took place when the woman was teen.

Denying the offer of mediation, the 22-year old victim said the suspect could go to any extent to escape punishment.

The woman, however, said she would not like to settle with him at any cost.

V Mohan was sentenced to seven years in jail for raping a 15-year-old orphan in 2008.

The girl became pregnant and is now a young mother of a six-year-old daughter.

The top court said that ‘a soft approach’ while dealing with rape was unacceptable.

“Any approach of compromise or settlement against is against dignity of women,” the court said.