"As far as allowing women to take decisions is concerned, India still has a long way to go," he said releasing "The Legal Compendium, Judgments on the Right to Choice and Decision- making in a Relationship" and "Control and Freedom: Women and the age of sexual decisions" here.
He said there is an inherent bias against women in the police force and judiciary.
On the issue of raising the age of consent for sexual relationships to 18 years, Shah termed the move as "backward".
He also took exception to the present virginity test, which is done on rape victims, and termed it barbaric. "It should be banned totally," he added.
The publication "The Legal Compendium, Judgements on the Right to Choice and Decision- making in a Relationship" is a compilation of about 80 judgements of the Supreme Court and High Courts which have upheld women's right to choice in relationships and punished the perpetrators of violence.
Authored by Geeta Ramaseshan, a Madras High Court advocate, "Control and Freedom: Women and the age of sexual decisions" analyses the constitutional provisions and different laws impacting age of consent to sexual relationships.