By A Correspondent / New Delhi
The Supreme Court today asked chief justices or acting chief justices of all high courts to set up anti-sexual harassment committees in courts across the country within two months in accordance with a 2013 law.
It also requested Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal of the Delhi High Court to constitute the panel in the high court and in all district courts in the national capital within a week.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra was hearing a writ petition filed by a woman lawyer against the advocates and some members of Delhi Bar Association alleging assault at the Tis Hazari district court complex in Delhi.
Disposing of the petition, the bench asked them to amicably settle their disputes. The court also directed that advocates from both sides should not be arrested in connection with the two cross FIRs filed by them against each other
The apex court asked the crime branch of Delhi Police to investigate the two cross-complaints. It also transferred the trials, arising from the two cross FIRs, to the Patiala House district court in New Delhi and asked the Bar leaders not to interfere with the administration of justice.
The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act of 2013 requires every workplace to set up committees to probe sexual harassment complaints.