Form anti-sexual harassment panels in all HCs within 2-months: SC
Supreme Court today asked Chief Justices or acting Chief Justices of all High Courts to set up anti-sexual harassment committees in courts across the country within two months in accordance with a 2013 law. The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act of 2013 requires every workplace to set up committees to probe sexual harassment complaints.
Woman lawyer alleged that male advocates assaulted her
Bench also requested Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal of Delhi HC to constitute the panel in the high court and all district courts in Delhi within a week. A bench headed by CJI Dipak Misra was hearing a petition filed by a practising woman-advocate who alleged she had been assaulted by some lawyers observing a strike at Tis Hazari district court in Delhi.
Bench asked woman lawyer, Bar leaders to amicably settle disputes
The bench, comprising Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud, asked the woman lawyer and the Bar leaders to amicably settle their disputes and directed that advocates from both sides should not be arrested in connection with the two cross FIRs filed by them against each other. The bench asked the crime branch of Delhi Police to investigate the complaints filed by lawyers.
Bench transferred the trials to Patiala House district court
The bench transferred the trials, which would arise from the two cross-FIRs, to the Patiala House district court in Delhi and asked the Bar leaders not to interfere with the administration of justice. The bench then disposed of a writ petition filed by the lady lawyer against the advocates and some members of Delhi Bar Association for allegedly assaulting her.
