The Supreme Court of India has intensified its scrutiny over the implementation of mechanisms to address workplace sexual harassment across the nation's courts. In a significant development, the Chhattisgarh High Court has disclosed details about its Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), revealing it has handled and rejected three complaints due to insufficient evidence.
Supreme Court's Directive and Chhattisgarh's Response
Acting on a public interest litigation, the Supreme Court recently sought detailed status reports from various high courts regarding the enforcement of redressal systems mandated by the landmark 1997 Vishakha judgment. The apex court expressed concern over the lack of uniform implementation, nearly three decades after the ruling that established mandatory safeguards against sexual harassment at work.
During the hearing, it was noted that Chhattisgarh was among the states where effective mechanisms within court premises were not yet fully operational. This prompted the top court to demand compliance reports to ensure the guidelines are being followed.
Chhattisgarh High Court's ICC Constitution and Findings
In response to queries, Nidhi Sharma Tiwari, the member and secretary-cum-nodal officer of the ICC and Director of the Chhattisgarh State Judicial Academy, provided specifics. She confirmed that the high court has a duly constituted Internal Complaints Committee under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, which stemmed from the Vishakha ruling.
The committee was most recently reconstituted on May 19, 2025, by an order of the Chief Justice, to ensure effective complaint redressal under the POSH Act. The Registrar General's official order stated this move was in line with statutory requirements and judicial directives.
The reconstituted committee is chaired by Justice Rajani Dubey, a judge of the Chhattisgarh High Court. Other members include advocates Renu Kochar and Rajani Soren, Nidhi Sharma Tiwari herself, and Deputy Registrar Bini Pradeep, representing a mix of judicial officers, legal practitioners, and senior administration.
Case History and Confidentiality
Nidhi Sharma Tiwari shared crucial data about the committee's workload. Since the establishment of the Chhattisgarh High Court, the ICC has received a total of three complaints. She stated that all these complaints were ultimately rejected after the individuals who filed them could not provide enough evidence to support their allegations.
Emphasizing the sensitive nature of such proceedings, Tiwari added that specific details regarding the dates or years of these complaints cannot be disclosed to maintain confidentiality as per the law.
The Supreme Court's proactive stance highlights an ongoing national effort to audit and strengthen the frameworks meant to protect women in professional environments, particularly within the judiciary's own precincts. The disclosures from Chhattisgarh underscore the practical challenges in proving such cases, even as institutional mechanisms are put in place.
