The Supreme Court on Friday issued noticce over the use of objectionable language in judicial orders concerning accused persons and proposed impleading the Chief Secretaries of Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal after being apprised of similar instances in judgments of their respective High Courts.

The Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana was hearing the suo motu proceedings over a July 9 judgment of the Patna High Court which held that allegations of attempting to remove a woman’s salwar and pressing her chest did not constitute an offence of attempt to rape in the absence of evidence of penetration or an overt act unequivocally establishing an intention to commit rape.

The Supreme Court had earlier issued notice to the accused, directing that he be served through the local police. On Friday, the Bench was informed that the accused had been served only the previous day after his address in Delhi was traced, but no one had entered appearance on his behalf. In the interest of justice, the Court granted him one more opportunity to appear.

Senior Advocate Shobha Gupta, who is assisting the Court in the lead matter, also drew attention to four judgments from the Jharkhand, Allahabad and Calcutta High Courts which contained undesirable and offending language against victims.

Taking note of the submission, the Bench issued notice and directed that the Chief Secretaries of Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal should be impleaded as parties to the proceedings. Observing that the outcome could affect the rights of the accused persons concerned, the court issued notice to accused persons also.