Vishakha case: ‘How many complaint panels set up?’

The Bombay high court on Thursday directed the state to file an affidavit stating how many police stations have set up complaint committees under the Supreme Court guidelines in Vishakha case for protection of women from sexual harassment in workplaces.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by a 29-year-old woman constable from the government railway police seeking implementation of apex court guidelines in Vishakha versus state of Rajasthan.

She was allegedly molested by a fellow constable in August but her higher-ups threatened her with adverse action. Public prosecutor Pandurang Pol sought four weeks but judges directed the reply to be filed within two weeks.

Sangita Shinde (name changed), who was two months pregnant at the time of incident, suffered a miscarriage, her petition stated. She moved HC after she failed to get justice from the police department and state government.

Her petition stated that Vishakha case makes it mandatory for all states in India to provide protection to women against sexual harassment in workplaces. The apex court had also directed that the Human Rights Commission must set up a complaint committee.