To,
Hon’ble Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma,
High Court of Delhi,
Delhi

Subject: Expression of Gratitude for Recognizing the Need for a Gender-Neutral Society & heartfelt thanks for a justice-oriented Judgment.

Respected Ma’am,

I hope this letter finds you in the best of health and spirits. My name is Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj. I am an independent journalist, documentary filmmaker and founder of NGO Ekam Nyaay Foundation. Our organization works at grass-root level to provide a supportive environment for individuals affected by false accusations, wrongful convictions, and other human rights violations. We offer legal and emotional support, counseling and address pressing issues faced by men in society. We have created documentary films like “Martyrs of Marriage” on misuse of IPC 498A which received a global release on NETFLIX from 2018-2020 and “India’s Sons” on victims of false rape accusations to bring forth challenges faced by men in society
today. Our films have been screened in Judicial Academies, Courts, Law Colleges and appreciated by retired High Court & Supreme Court Judges as well.

The name “Ekam Nyaay” is derived from Sanskrit and translates to “One Justice”, reflecting our commitment to equality and fairness for all.

Madam, we are writing to you with immense respect and admiration, to express our heartfelt gratitude for your profound judgment in BAIL APPLN. 262/2025, JYOTI ALIAS KITTU vs THE STATE GOVT. OF NCT OF DELHI where you denied anticipatory bail to a woman accused of burning her husband with hot water mixed with chilli powder, taking his phone away and leaving him and their 3-month-old child locked up so that he does not receive any medical help and rejecting the argument that leniency should be shown to her just because she is a woman. Your Ladyship’s words in this very thoughtful judgment emphasizing “The empowerment of one gender and protection to it cannot come at the cost of fairness towards another. Just as women deserve protection from cruelty and violence, men too are entitled to the same safeguards under the law. To suggest otherwise would violate the very basic principles of equality and human dignity, and this Court cannot differentiate between genders when it comes to acts of physical violence or causing injuries. Creating a special class of leniency for one gender would erode the foundational principles of justice in cases of life- threatening bodily injuries. This case also highlights a broader societal challenge. Men who are victims of violence at the hands of their wives often face unique difficulties, including societal disbelief and the stigma associated with being perceived as a victim. Such stereotypes perpetuate the erroneous belief that men cannot suffer violence in domestic relationships. Thus, the Courts must recognize the need for a gender neutral approach to such cases, by ensuring that men and women are treated alike.” has touched millions of hearts and resonated deeply with organizations like us who are working every day with men who become victims of domestic violence at the hands of their partner but neither can speak up about it nor find much legal recourse to it. It takes immense courage, foresight, and empathy to openly recognise the need for a gender-neutral society, and your observations have provided hope to countless individuals who feel unheard and marginalised.

Unfortunately, societal stereotypes often paint men as perpetual perpetrators, which is a bias that has caused immense harm to innocent lives. Your acknowledgment of the need for equality, not at the expense of either gender but in its truest sense, is a significant step forward in challenging such preconceived notions. The depth of your reasoning reflects an equitable and
compassionate approach to justice. It is through judgments like this that the judiciary reinforces its role as a beacon of hope for those seeking fairness, irrespective of societal biases. Landmarks Judgments from Apex Courts have promoted a strong judicial sensitivity towards issues faced by women. We hope that this judgment of yours promotes sensitivity towards both genders and towards Equality in real sense irrespective of Gender. Your words give us a hope that someday domestic violence will be seen as a gender- neutral crime and men also will be given a recourse against the same before extreme situations like in this case arise.

Please accept my deepest respect for your judicial wisdom and empathy. Your words and actions inspire us to continue our mission with greater vigour, knowing that there are very erudite, empathetic and balanced judges in judiciary also who recognize the importance of true equality, neutrality and challenges faced by men too.

Thank you, Your Ladyship, for being a trailblazer in advocating for true equality and for giving hope to those who have longed for justice.

Yours Respectfully,

Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj
Founder and Director
Ekam Nyaay Foundation