The Bombay high court on Friday refused to expedite the trial initiated by a former employee of accounting firm KPMG against three of her colleagues on charges of sexual harassment in the workplace.
A division bench of Justice NH Patil and Justice Revati Mohite Dhere directed the woman to approach the Bhoiwada metropolitan court, where her request for an expeditious hearing is pending.
The woman had moved the high court seeking directions to the lower court to promptly hear the case as it has been pending for over five years. The petition alleged that the accused are out on bail and the proceedings in court are not moving forward.
In late 2007, the complainant had sent legal notices to her senior colleagues, including KPMG India senior partner and head of its financial services, Vikram Uttam Singh, for sexual harassment. Singh was later arrested by the Mumbai police. The complainant had worked with the firm in the year 2005-06; her services were terminated by the company after being associated with the company for 14 months.
After her termination, the woman approached the Maharashtra State Woman’s Commission, National Commission for Women, Cyber Cell and the National Human Rights Commission with her plea. The NM Joshi marg police had charged three company officials under sections of the Indian Penal Code.
Recently, the high court also stayed the order issued by the National Commission for Women, dated September 13, directing the company to file its reply to the complaint made by the former employee.
Pending since 5 years
The woman had moved the HC seeking directions to the lower court to promptly hear the case as it has been pending for over five years. The petition alleged that the accused are out on bail and court proceedings are not moving forward.
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