Allahabad High Court Internal Committee under the Sexual Harassment Act

According to the Allahabad High Court, the Internal Committee was constituted in compliance with Section 4(1) of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, vide order dated 16 December 2013 of the Hon’ble Chief Justice, to inquire into complaints of sexual harassment of women at the work places of the Hon’ble High Court of Judicature at Allahabad and its Bench at Lucknow.

Composition of the Committee

The Committee presently consists of seven members, including three lady judges and one retired lady professor of the University of Allahabad. The members are:

Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Sangeeta Chandra – Chairperson
Hon’ble Mr. Justice Jaspreet Singh
Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Manju Rani Chauhan
Hon’ble Ms. Justice Nand Prabha Shukla
Hon’ble Mr. Justice Vinod Diwakar
Prof. Dr. Sumita Parmar (Retd.), Former Director, Centre for Women’s Studies, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj

The Committee is assisted by Sri Nirmal Chandra Semwal, Registrar(J)(Confidential), High Court, Allahabad as Presenting Officer and Sri Manoj Pandey, Registrar(J)(Stationery), High Court, Lucknow Bench, Lucknow as Co‑Presenting Officer.

Definition of Sexual Harassment

As per Section 2(n) of the Act, sexual harassment includes any one or more of the following unwelcome acts or behaviour (whether directly or by implication): physical contact and advances; demand or request for sexual favours; making sexually coloured remarks; showing pornography; or any other unwelcome physical, verbal or non‑verbal conduct of sexual nature. The Act also lists circumstances that may amount to sexual harassment, such as implied or explicit promise/threat of preferential/detrimental treatment, interference with work creating an intimidating or hostile environment, or humiliating treatment likely to affect health or safety.

Filing a Complaint

Any aggrieved woman, or her legal heir or other prescribed person, may file a written complaint within three months from the date of the incident (or from the date of the last incident in a series). The Committee may extend this period by up to three months under special circumstances. The complainant must submit six copies of the complaint along with supporting documents and the names and addresses of witnesses. Complaints may be addressed to the Hon’ble Chief Justice, the Hon’ble Chairperson of the Internal Committee, the Learned Registrar General, or the Senior Registrar(J)(Confidential) at the Allahabad High Court. Complaints may also be emailed to po.icc@allahabadhighcourt.in or internalcomplaints.section@allahabadhighcourt.in, or placed in complaint boxes installed at various locations within the Allahabad and Lucknow premises (details of box numbers and locations are provided in the source).

Inquiry Procedure

Upon receipt of a complaint, the Committee sends a copy to the respondent within seven working days. The respondent must file a reply, along with documents and witness details, within ten working days. The inquiry is conducted in accordance with the principles of natural justice, with a minimum of three members (including the Presiding Officer or Chairperson) present. The Committee may terminate proceedings or issue an ex‑parte decision if a party fails, without sufficient cause, to appear for three consecutive hearings, provided a fifteen‑day written notice is given. Legal practitioners are not permitted to represent parties during the proceedings.

Possible Outcomes

If allegations are proved, the Committee may recommend actions such as a written apology, warning, reprimand, censure, withholding of promotion or pay rise, termination from service, counselling, or community service. If allegations are found to be malicious, false, forged, or misleading, action may be taken against the complainant after establishing malicious intent; mere inability to substantiate a complaint does not attract action.

Employer Duties

The employer must provide a safe working environment, assist the woman in filing a complaint under the Indian Penal Code or any other law, treat sexual harassment as misconduct under service rules, and initiate appropriate action.

Awareness Activities

The Committee has undertaken various awareness initiatives, including printing and circulating pamphlets in 2019, organizing a gender sensitization workshop on 9 April 2022, installing 26 complaint boxes (14 at Allahabad, 12 at Lucknow), displaying 20 flex boards with information on the Sexual Harassment Act, and installing 51 sanitary pad dispensers in female washrooms. In 2023, desk calendars featuring gender‑sensitivity posters were distributed to a wide range of judicial and legal officials across Uttar Pradesh and other institutions.

Points to be Kept in Mind

The High Court maintains a zero‑tolerance policy for sexual harassment of women at the workplace, and proceedings under the Act are kept highly confidential.