38.6c New Delhi, India, Thursday, March 28, 2024
Judiciary

Supreme Court Says No Vishakha Guidelines In Religious Institutions, Dismisses PIL

By LawStreet News Network      23 July, 2019 12:00 AM      0 Comments
Supreme Court Says No Vishakha Guidelines In Religious Institutions, Dismisses PIL

The Supreme Court on July 22, 2019, dismissed a PIL seeking directions to implement Vishakha guidelines on sexual harassment in religious institutions.

The Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi said judicial orders can't be passed on this plea as Vishakha guidelines cannot be extended to religious places.

"Why don't you file a criminal complaint? How can Vishakha guidelines be extended to religious places?" asked the CJI, junking the PIL.

The petition filed by advocate Maneesh Pathak sought that the Vishakha guidelines against sexual harassment at workplace may also be made applicable to ashrams, madrasas and Catholic institutions.

It said that religious institutions also have women employed there other than those working on a voluntary basis.

"If the Vishakha Guidelines are extended to these religious institutions, it would assist a lot in reducing sexually related crimes against women at religious places by gurus or leaders of that particular institution,” it was averred.

The apex court had on August 13, 1997, in the Vishakha case, laid down as many as 12 guidelines to be followed by employers to prevent or deter acts of sexual harassments against women at the workplace.

The 2018 petition said religious places constitute part of workplace as many women are employed there, other than those working on a voluntarily basis.

The petition sought collection of data of such religious institutions where women practice and profess religion, for taking effective steps based on the guidelines to assist the victims of sexual assaults. It also sought the Centre to direct the authorities concerned of the particular area, where such religious institutions are situated, to do the background verification of religious leaders, especially "new upcoming babas" or "heads of those madarsas" and churches.

Further, it also sought directions to the Centre to provide adequate measures for women safety at religious places by conducting periodic checks from state women panels.

Emphasizing on the need for framing of policies based on the Vishakha guidelines so that women may feel safe at religious places, the petition mentioned incidents of sexual exploitation in religious institutions such as the issue of the Kerala priest, and other gurus like Daati Maharaj, Baba Ram Rahim and Aasaram Bapu.



Share this article:

User Avatar
About:


Leave a feedback about this
TRENDING NEWS

sc-declines-to-reconsider-judgement-holding-conspiracy-to-be-scheduled-offence-under-pmla-only-if-offence-specifically-mentioned
Trending Judiciary
SC declines to reconsider judgement holding conspiracy to be scheduled offence under PMLA only if offence specifically mentioned [Read Order]

Supreme Court declines review, confirms conspiracy must relate to a scheduled offence under PMLA, dismissing appeal on money laundering charges.

27 March, 2024 07:40 PM
arvind-kejriwals-plea-for-interim-release-rejected-by-delhi-high-court
Trending Judiciary
Arvind Kejriwal's plea for interim release rejected by Delhi High Court [Read Order]

Delhi High Court rejects Arvind Kejriwal's plea for interim release in money laundering case related to liquor policy scam, pending ED's response.

28 March, 2024 10:50 AM

TOP STORIES

global-entertainment-giants-warner-bros-netflix-amazon-get-relief-from-delhi-hc-in-copyright-protection-case
Trending Business
Global entertainment giants Warner Bros, Netflix, Amazon get relief from Delhi HC in copyright protection case

Delhi HC grants relief to global entertainment giants like Netflix, Amazon, Warner Bros, ordering takedown of copyrighted content on rogue websites.

22 March, 2024 12:13 PM
arvind-kejriwal-arrested-can-cm-administer-a-region-while-being-in-jail
Trending Top Stories
Arvind Kejriwal Arrested | Can CM administer a region while being in jail?

Will President's rule be imposed in Delhi after Kejriwal’s arrest? Read the full article to know more.

22 March, 2024 03:16 PM
merely-because-you-are-politician-cant-bypass-statutory-remedies-procedure-sc-refuses-to-consider-bail-by-kavitha
Trending Judiciary
'Merely because you are politician, can't bypass statutory remedies, procedure,' SC refuses to consider bail by Kavitha

Supreme Court denies bail to politician Kavitha in Delhi Liquor Policy Scam; ED alleges Rs 100 crore illegal gratification.

22 March, 2024 03:34 PM
ponmudi-to-be-sworn-in-as-minister-tn-governor-relents-before-sc
Trending Judiciary
Ponmudi to be sworn in as Minister, TN Governor relents before SC

Tamil Nadu Governor relents to Supreme Court's order, agrees to swear in DMK leader K Ponmudi as Minister after court's rap.

22 March, 2024 03:54 PM

ADVERTISEMENT


Join Group

Signup for Our Newsletter

Get Exclusive access to members only content by email