Awareness programme on women’s workplace safety held in Nawanshahr

An awareness programme was held on Wednesday at the New Court Complex in Nawanshahr to educate women employees about their rights under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.

The programme was organised under the guidance of Priya Sood, Chairperson of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), SBS Nagar, who is also the District and Sessions Judge.

Aprajita Joshi, Additional District and Sessions Judge, addressed the gathering and detailed the complaint procedures available to women facing sexual harassment at work. She explained that women employees, including contractual, ad-hoc and Class IV workers, can file a written complaint with the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) of the District Court, SBS Nagar. Joshi serves as the Chairperson of this committee, which includes three other members and was constituted following directions from Priya Sood.

Joshi informed attendees that complaints must be filed within three months of the incident, though this period may be extended by another three months if required. She assured women that all complaints and proceedings are confidential, and the information is exempt from disclosure under the RTI Act, 2005. If desired, the matter can be resolved through mutual conciliation; otherwise, a formal inquiry is conducted by the committee. Upon finding the accused guilty, disciplinary action can be taken under service rules, and compensation may be ordered, which can be deducted from the offender’s salary. The case can also be referred to the police under Section 509 of the IPC or Section 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The accused’s conduct will be treated as misconduct, with a right to appeal the decision.

Amandeep Kalotra, Secretary-cum-Chief Judicial Magistrate of DLSA SBS Nagar, also spoke during the session. He highlighted key points from the Supreme Court judgment in Civil Appeal No. 2482 of 2014 – Aureliano Fernandes vs. State of Goa and Others, delivered in May 2013. Kalotra informed the attendees about another complaint committee functioning at the Deputy Commissioner’s office and introduced online complaint options, including the government’s SHe-Box portal designed to facilitate easier and more accessible complaint filing for working women.

The session was attended by numerous women employees from various departments and successfully raised awareness about the legal support and complaint mechanisms available to them in cases of sexual harassment at the workplace.