Email Or Post Also A Medium To Send Complaints To Supreme Court Sexual Harassment Cell

The Gender Sensitization and Internal Complaints Committee (GSICC) a 7-member committee chaired by Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai in the Supreme Court have taken a decision that aggrieved women can send their complaints through the medium of emails or by post. This committee was constituted in the Supreme Court to receive and decide complaints against sexual harassment.

The circular reads as, "Clause 2(a) of Gender Sensitization and Sexual Harassment of Women at the Supreme Court of India (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Regulations 2013 defines the "aggrieved women". Any women coming within the definition of Clause 2(a) may make a complaint in writing of sexual harassment at Supreme Court of India precincts to GSICC through its Member Secretary- Rachna Gupta, Registrar".

According to the circular which says that to form out the effective methods for the implementation of "The Gender Sensitization and Sexual Harassment of Women at the Supreme Court of India (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Regulations, 2013" and for deciding other related issues, the First Meeting of the Committee was held on December 9, 2013.

In order to make the system more complainant- friendly, the complaint can be sent through registered post, Courier, speed post or even by email. The circular further added that the secrecy of the inquiry proceedings should be maintained. The mail address of Rachna Gupta where aggrieved women can send their complaints through email is as mentioned herein: gupta.rachna@indianjudiciary.gov.in.

The Chief Justice of India P Sathasivam formed the Gender Sensitization and Sexual Harassment of Women (GSICC), which is headed by a woman judge of the Supreme Court Justice RanjanaPrakash Desai, and has six other women members. The two members in the panel are those who are not associated with the court in any manner. Since its inception, the Committee laid down the first annual reportin January this year, which informedabout receiving two complaints on sexual harassment from two women lawyers which were pending disposal.

The Panel works in conformity with the guidelines laid down by the apex court in Vishaka Case in dealing with the complaints of Sexual Harassment at workplace. Under which the Panel shall consist of majority of women members including two members of civil society as nominated by the CJI.