Hindustan Times (Ranchi)

FIR against Sasikala, son, husband for harassing maids

- HT Correspond­ent letters@hindustant­imes.com

CHENNAI: Police on Wednesday lodged an FIR against expelled AIADMK leader Sasikala Pushpa and her family after they were accused of harassing their female servants. The victims said they were tortured as well as sexually harassed by the men of the house.

ACCORDING TO THE LAW, SEXUAL HARASSMENT INCLUDES PHYSICAL CONTACT AND ADVANCES, DEMAND OR REQUEST FOR SEXUAL FAVOURS

NEW DELHI: Women employees who have complained of sexual harassment can get three months’ leave during the pendency of enquiry, Union minister Jitendra Singh informed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

The government does not maintain any centralise­d data on the number of sexual harassment complaints, he said.

Section 12 of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibitio­n and Redressal) Act, 2013 provides for grant of leave up to three months to an aggrieved woman employee during the pendency of inquiry in to her case, he said in a written reply.

“Such leave may be granted by the employer if a written request from the aggrieved employee duly recommende­d by the local committee or the internal committee, as the case may be, is received,” said the minister of state for personnel, public grievances and pensions.

To a question seeking details on the number of sexual harassment complaints registered by women employees as on date, the minister said “centralise­d data is not maintained”.

As per the law, sexual harassment includes physical contact and advances, demand or request for sexual favours, sexually coloured remarks, showing any pornograph­y and any other unwelcome physical, verbal and non-verbal conduct of a sexual nature.

Besides, implied or explicit promise of preferenti­al or detrimenta­l treatment in employment; implied or explicit threat about her present or future employment status; interferen­ce with her work, creating an intimidati­ng, offensive or hostile work environmen­t for her; and humiliatin­g treatment likely to affect her health or safety may also amount to sexual harassment.

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