Anti Sexual Harassment Committee

On 13th August 1997, the Supreme Court of India issued a judgment, popularly known as the Vishaka Judgment, which recognized and addressed sexual harassment at the workplace as a human rights violation. The Supreme Court, in its judgment, stated that every woman has the right to a safe workplace.

The Court issued directives for all employers and organizations, making it mandatory to institute Sexual Harassment Complaints Committees at workplaces. The judgment also laid down guidelines for the prevention of sexual harassment at the workplace.

The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 replaced the guidelines and norms laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court and came into force on 9 December 2013. The Government of India also framed rules for carrying out the provisions of this Act, 2013.

The Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) is responsible for investigating every formal written complaint of sexual harassment and taking appropriate remedial measures to respond to any substantiated allegations of sexual harassment.

The Internal Complaints Committee shall inquire into complaints in accordance with the provisions of Section 11 of the Act, 2013. The Committee may give recommendations as may be considered necessary under the provisions of Section 12 of the Act, 2013. Based on these recommendations, the Competent Authority shall take appropriate action.