Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, 7th March, 2025: Under the guidance of Shri Atul Kasana, District & Sessions Judge, SAS Nagar, on the occasion of “Women’s Day”, District Legal Services Authority, SAS Nagar organised Seminar on ‘Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace (POSH)’ at Chandigarh University, Gharuan to discuss the problems faced by women workers at their workplace.
Ms. Surabhi Parashar, CJM-cum-Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, SAS Nagar informed that Punjab State Legal Services Authority, SAS Nagar has launched a month long campaign “Safety of Women at Workplace” from 01.03.2025 to 31.03.2025. Under this campaign, they made the faculty members and students aware about the various provisions of POSH Act and discussed about the guidelines given by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Visakha and others vs State of Rajasthan.
They also discussed the important judgment in the case of Aureliano Fernandes vs State of Goa and others, wherein the Hon’ble Supreme Court has highlighted that the appellant started his career as a temporary lecturer in the Department of Political Science. He was appointed as the Head of the said Department.
However, two girl students along with their friends submitted a complaint to the University alleging physical harassment at their hands. The appellant alleged a well-planned conspiracy against them by some miscreant students in connivance with the faculty members.
Whereas, the Grievance Committee after 18 meetings reported that the allegation of sexual harassment was established and the act of the appellant was also a serious misconduct and gross violation of Rule 3(1)(III) of the Conduct Rules and thus, it recommended termination of his services. The Court observed that the Committee has completely ignored the fundamental principle that justice must not only be done but must also be seen to have been done. The principles of audi alteram partem could not be thrown to the winds in this manner.
Sexual harassment also includes conduct of colleagues who engage in verbal or physical harassing behaviour, sexual advances, requests or demands for sexual favours expressly or impliedly in exchange for employment, promotion or examination, eve teasing, unsolicited invitations to meet outside the office, obscene comments or jokes, physical confinement against one's will and invasion of one's privacy etc. which have the potential to humiliate or embarrass an employee or the company.
He elaborated on the steps to be taken for prevention of sexual harassment at workplace and guided the audience by giving various suggestions like dealing with the harasser directly, not pretending that it did not happen, immediately informing the alleged harasser that the behaviour is unwelcome, demanding that the harassment stop.
Mr. Navneet Chahal, Head, Department of Law, Faculty of Law, Chandigarh University, Gharuan and Dr. Renu Mahajan, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Law were also present on the occasion and congratulated the women on the occasion of Women’s Day.