Whenever there is a discussion of the ‘weaker sections of society’, inevitably we find ourselves under the domain of ‘beneficial or socio-economic-legal legislations’. Such laws, as per the Maxwell’s principles of interpretation and Mimansa rules of interpretation, required to be interpreted in a purposive manner i.e. that construction shall be preferred which furthers the cause of such beneficial legislation. Giving effect to the intention of the legislature, sometimes requires a great deal of judicial activism, which many a times, is considered as ‘judicial encroachment’ or ‘judicial overreach’ by many jurists. Nonetheless, in India, and even across the world, Judicial Activism is quite a prevalent phenomenon. A lot of it seems to be because of the vacuum in law and/or incompetent drafting of the statues, by the legislature.

We must acknowledge the role played by our Honorable Apex Court in furthering the cause of such beneficial legislations. The SC has engaged itself in the evolution of women-centric and/or related laws in our society. The Court has gone to the extent of giving guidelines and mandamus to the legislature to draft required legislatures.

This book is an attempt to bring out some of such instances, wherein the Supreme Court has played an active role in the domain of women rights. While some do criticise such judgments as being a result of 'judicial overreach', we need to appreciate that it is for these judgments that women are entitled to some of the basic human rights. These cases have played a crucial turning point for furthering the cause of women empowerment.