SET UP PANELS ON SEXUAL HARASSMENT, SC TELLS HCS

The Supreme Court on Friday directed all high courts to set-up internal complaints committees in all district courts to deal with allegations of sexual harassment lodged by women advocates practising there.

The bench led by Chief Justice Dipak Misra was hearing a petition filed by a woman lawyer, Afsan Pracha, who claimed she was assaulted by lawyers within the premises of Tis Hazari court in north Delhi last week.

The petitioner got a criminal case lodged against the lawyers who allegedly stopped her from appearing in court. A cross FIR was also registered by another woman lawyer, who accused Pracha of robbing her of ₹40,000 cash and a gold chain.

In her petition Pracha also pointed out that there are no complaints committees in district courts where she could go and protest against the physical harassment she faced at the hands of her males colleagues.

CJI Misra refused to entertain the personal grievance raised by the petitioner. He had on the last hearing issued a contempt notice against the secretary of Tis Hazari district bar association.

The bench ordered HC chief justices to constitute committees within two months, and asked for a status report from the HC registrars while fixing the matter for hearing in July.

The committee cannot have a member who is has a criminal case registered against him or her, the bench clarified.

NEWDELHI: