Supreme Court Seeks Report From HCs On Formation Of Committees Across Courts/ Tribunals & Bar Bodies To Address Sexual Harassment

The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday sought status reports from the Registrars General of various High Courts on whether gender sensitisation committees and Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) have been constituted in High Courts, District Courts and Bar Associations to address complaints of sexual harassment against women and transgender persons.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was hearing a writ petition seeking directions for effective implementation of the Vishaka Guidelines, including the setting up of Internal Complaints Committees across High Courts and District Courts in the country.

Senior Advocate Sonia Mathur, appearing for the petitioners, placed before the Court a chart indicating significant gaps in compliance. She submitted that as many as seven High Courts had neither framed guidelines nor constituted Internal Complaints Committees. It was further pointed out that no mechanism had been implemented in Patna, while in Jharkhand, an ICC existed only at the High Court level, with district courts remaining outside its ambit. Similar deficiencies were highlighted in the district courts of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi.

Taking note of the submissions and agreeing to examine the issue, the Court issued notice and directed the concerned Registrars General to place on record their respective status reports.

The order records:

"Issue notice, the Registrar Generals of the High Courts identified shall file respective status reports as to whether committees in gender sensitisation and for taking actions against sexual harassment of women and transgenders person have been constituted in all the High Courts/ District Courts, tribunal courts and other allied courts, as well as the bar associations at all levels."

Case Details : GEETA RANI vs. UNION OF INDIA| W.P.(C) No. 001245 / 2025