Latest news with #PoSHAct
Hindustan Times
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Bhopal sexual assault case: Religious conversion, organised crime network in play, says NCW
New Delhi, A fact-finding committee of the National Commission for Women has claimed that coercion for religious conversion and the possible involvement of an organised criminal network were in play in the Bhopal college sexual assault and blackmail case. The case involved a group of college students who allegedly drugged and raped several female students, filmed the assaults and used the videos to blackmail the victims into introducing more girls to them threatening public exposure. The NCW inquiry committee, led by retired IPS officer Nirmal Kaur and comprising advocate Nirmala Nayak and Under Secretary Ashutosh Pandey, visited Bhopal from May 3 to 5. During the visit, they met survivors, their families, police officials and representatives of educational institutions. The committee also inspected the sites where the victims were allegedly drugged and subjected to sexual violence. According to the committee's findings, the accused lured the girls with expensive gifts and vehicles, drugged them and took objectionable photos to blackmail them. In some cases, they reportedly pressured the girls to convert their religion. Despite suffering severe emotional trauma and social pressure, the survivors showed remarkable courage by lodging FIRs, the panel noted. It also highlighted that although the accused belonged to modest economic backgrounds, their extravagant lifestyle pointed to potential links with drug trafficking and organised crime. The Commission recommended that these angles be investigated thoroughly and statewide inquiries be conducted to identify whether external funding or ideological influence was involved. In its recommendations, the NCW called upon the media to portray the survivors as "Real Bravehearts" and report sensitively, without compromising their identity or dignity. The Commission also flagged lapses in institutional accountability and recommended that all colleges submit mandatory compliance reports under the PoSH Act or The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013. It urged institutions to train their Internal Complaints Committees, display helpline numbers prominently and maintain attendance and dropout records, especially in colleges receiving government scholarships. The NCW further advised a probe into possible misuse of government schemes, land and education funds by certain private institutions operating for profit. The Commission has submitted its full report to the governor and chief minister of Madhya Pradesh and urged the state government to take prompt and determined action to ensure justice for the survivors.
New Indian Express
30-04-2025
- New Indian Express
Slow-paced formation of Internal Complaints Committees at institutions in TN's Krishnagiri
KRISHNAGIRI: While 511 Internal Complaints Committees (IC) were formed under The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (PoSH Act) in Krishnagiri district in both private and government sectors till the last week of April, only 66 ICs were formed in government offices. Despite awareness and warnings by the district Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department and Krishnagiri collector, some officials are reluctant in forming these committees. POSH Act was enacted to provide a safe and secure work environment for all women, and to ensure effective redressal of complaints of sexual harassment. The law states that an organisation with ten or more employees must constitute an IC to receive and redress complaints of sexual harassment at workplaces. IC must be constituted as per Section 4 of the Act. Sources from the social welfare department in the district said, "There are 207 ICs in government and private schools and colleges, and other educational institutions in Krishnagiri district. Similarly, various factories and private companies formed 222 ICs. Only 66 ICs have been formed in government offices. Out of eight taluk offices, ICs were constituted in five offices, while out of ten block development offices, only five have ICs." ICs have been formed in just 78 government schools in the district, while the police department at sub-division level and primary health centres at block-level are yet to form such committees. However, both have ICs set up at the district office. District Social Welfare Officer R Sakthi Subashini told TNIE , "On multiple occasions, officials were asked to constitute ICs, but only some are following the instructions. Apart from forming the committees, its details should be uploaded on website. Krishnagiri Collector C Dinesh Kumar also warned that failure to form ICs will attract a fine of Rs 50, 000 on the concerned department or organisation. Over 210 awareness programmes have been conducted across the district since January 2024 about forming ICs, but the implementation has been slow.'
The Hindu
26-04-2025
- The Hindu
Judiciary and the police urged to protect identities of sexual assault victims
Judges and police officers should protect the identities of sexual assault victims and provide them with the support they need, said Madras High Court Judge M. Dhandapani in Coimbatore city on Saturday. Speaking at an awareness programme on gender sensitisation and the elimination of violence against women, organised by the District Legal Services Authority (DSLA), Coimbatore, Justice Dhandapani said the judiciary and law enforcement must ensure the confidentiality of victims, calling it a social responsibility. He said leaking of victims' identities often makes their future uncertain. Only about 10% of women-related problems reach the courts in India, as fear of stigma and concerns over their daughters' future discourage many parents from reporting the cases. Highlighting gaps in justice delivery, he said that only well-established factories, industries, and companies have internal complaints committees under the Vishaka guidelines, leaving domestic workers and others without proper mechanisms. It is the duty of courts and police to ensure that every victim receives justice. The speakers discussed at the event cyber crimes against women under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (PoSH Act), types of workplace harassment and grievance mechanisms, challenges faced by junior advocates and interns, and the duties of Bar Associations under the Act. They also spoke on the role of men and women in creating a healthy work environment. An awareness short film produced by the Coimbatore district court staff was released.
