Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra, a judge of the Allahabad High Court, recently found himself at the center of a heated debate following a controversial ruling.
On March 17, 2025, he passed a judgment stating that grabbing the breasts of a minor and breaking the strings of her pyjama did not amount to an attempt to rape but rather an act of “aggravated sexual assault” under the POCSO Act.
This decision led to widespread backlash from legal experts, activists, and the general public, questioning the interpretation of laws protecting minors from sexual offenses.
The Supreme Court of India took suo motu cognizance of the case and strongly condemned the verdict, calling it “insensitive” and “inhuman.” A bench of Justices BR Gavai and Augustine George Masih stayed the ruling and directed the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court to take appropriate action.
MP Priyanka Chaturvedi Demands Justice Mishra’s Disqualification Over Controversial Verdict
Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi has written to Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, condemning Allahabad High Court Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra’s ruling that grabbing a minor’s breasts and attempting to remove her lower garment does not amount to an attempt to rape. Calling the judgment “flawed” and “depraved,” she urged for Justice Mishra’s disqualification, the case’s transfer to the Supreme Court, and mandatory sensitization training for judges to prevent such insensitive rulings in the future.
The Supreme Court’s intervention underscored the gravity of the issue and reignited discussions on the necessity of judicial sensitivity in cases involving crimes against women and children.
With this controversy as the backdrop, let’s delve deeper into Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra family life, career, and background of Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra.
Controversial Judgments That Sparked Debate
The March 17, 2025 Verdict on Child Abuse Case
One of the most controversial rulings by Justice Mishra came in March 2025, when he ruled that the act of grabbing a minor’s breasts and breaking the strings of her pyjama did not constitute an attempt to rape. Instead, he categorized it as an “aggravated sexual assault” under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, which carries a lesser penalty.
This ruling sparked intense criticism, with legal experts arguing that such a narrow interpretation of the law fails to protect minor victims from heinous crimes. Women’s rights organizations and activists protested against the judgment, calling it regressive and harmful to the fight against child abuse.
The Supreme Court, taking cognizance of the issue, stayed the order and reprimanded Justice Mishra for his lack of sensitivity. The apex court’s decision underscored the need for a more victim-centric approach in judicial rulings, especially in cases involving sexual crimes against children.
The Marital Rape Controversy
In another controversial judgment, Justice Mishra ruled that marital rape is not an offense if the wife is 18 or older. This decision was based on the fact that Indian law does not currently recognize marital rape as a criminal offense unless the wife is under 18.
The ruling reignited debates on marital consent and the need for legal reforms to protect women from sexual violence within marriage. Women’s rights groups strongly opposed the verdict, arguing that it fails to acknowledge the importance of consent in marital relationships.
While some legal scholars defended Justice Mishra’s ruling as being consistent with existing laws, others criticized it for ignoring the evolving discussions on gender rights and marital autonomy.
The Kasganj Child Assault Case
Justice Mishra also presided over a 2021 case in which two men assaulted an 11-year-old girl and attempted to drag her under a culvert. The accused were initially charged with rape and POCSO violations, but the High Court downgraded the charges, stating that their actions did not amount to an attempted rape.
This ruling once again put Justice Mishra in the spotlight, with critics arguing that such interpretations of the law create loopholes for offenders and undermine justice for victims. The Supreme Court later intervened, staying the order and emphasizing the need for a more victim-sensitive judicial approach.
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Who Is Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra?
Born on November 6, 1964, Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra pursued a legal education early in life. He graduated with a law degree in 1985 and later completed his post-graduation in 1987. His academic foundation in law played a crucial role in shaping his judicial philosophy and understanding of the Indian legal system.
Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra Family
Details about Justice Mishra’s family life remain private, reflecting his preference to keep personal matters away from the public eye. This discretion underscores his commitment to professionalism and the solemn responsibilities of his judicial role.
Entry into Judicial Service
Justice Mishra began his judicial career in 1990 when he joined the Uttar Pradesh Judicial Service as a Munsif (a lower judicial officer). His commitment to the legal profession and keen analytical skills earned him a promotion to the Higher Judicial Service in 2005. Over the years, he held various key positions that contributed to his rise in the judicial ranks.
Key Positions Held By Justice Mishra
Throughout his career, Justice Mishra has served in several judicial capacities:
District and Sessions Judge in Baghpat and Aligarh, where he handled numerous civil and criminal cases.
Director of the Judicial Training and Research Institute (JTRI), Lucknow, a prestigious position responsible for training judicial officers in the state.
District and Sessions Judge, Lucknow, where he presided over high-profile cases and complex legal matters.
Elevation to the High Court
In August 2022, Justice Mishra was appointed as an Additional Judge of the Allahabad High Court. After serving for a year, he was confirmed as a Permanent Judge on September 25, 2023. His tenure at the High Court has been marked by several significant rulings, some of which have sparked nationwide debates.
Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra Salary
There is no publicly available information on Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra’s exact salary. However, as a sitting judge of the Allahabad High Court, his salary would have been in accordance with the pay structure set for High Court judges in India. Typically, a High Court judge receives a monthly salary of around ₹2,25,000, along with various allowances and benefits such as official residence, security, medical facilities, and pension benefits post-retirement.
FAQs About Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra
What is Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra’s educational background?
He completed his law graduation in 1985 and post-graduation in 1987 before joining the Uttar Pradesh Judicial Service in 1990.
When did he become a High Court judge?
Justice Mishra was appointed as an Additional Judge of the Allahabad High Court in 2022 and was confirmed as a Permanent Judge in September 2023.
Why is Justice Mishra’s recent judgment controversial?
He ruled that grabbing the breasts of a minor and breaking her pyjama strings did not amount to an attempt to rape. This judgment was widely criticized for being insensitive and legally flawed.
How did the Supreme Court react to his ruling?
The Supreme Court stayed the order, called it “inhuman” and “insensitive,” and directed the Allahabad High Court’s Chief Justice to take appropriate action.
