Summery
After a brief hearing, a two-judge Bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan issued notice to the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and the National Commission for Women. The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 mandates the constitution of an ICC at every workplace with more than ten workers.
The Petitioners, who were represented by Advocate Abha Singh today, highlight that by the very nature of the task entrusted to ICC members, who are provided the powers Of a Civil Court for the purpose Of inquiry, they take decisions that may not favour the senior management Of the company. This makes them susceptible to victimization and retaliation, such as unfair termination and demotion, the Petitioners contend.
The Supreme Court today issued a notice in a public interest litigation seeking the security of tenure and protection from retaliation for members of Internal Complaints Committees [constituted under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013] in private workplaces.
