The Supreme Court of India reviewed the implementation of gender-sensitive provisions under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act). The Court, while responding to a petition seeking uniform implementation of the POSH Act, directed all High Courts to report on the establishment of Gender Sensitisation and Internal Complaints Committees (GSICCs) across High, district and sub-divisional courts, tribunals, bar associations, and allied forums within three weeks. However, a senior lawyer Sonia Mathur appearing for the petitioner noted that seven High Courts, including Punjab and Haryana and Delhi, are yet to frame regulations for committee formation, while district courts have not constituted GSICCs. She also highlighted that despite the Supreme Court’s 2014 ruling, many courts continue to lack mechanisms for women lawyers, litigants, and staff to report grievances. The petition argued that absence of such structures results in constitutional violations and discourages women from full participation in justice delivery. Meanwhile, Haryana police have registered a case against national shooting coach Ankush Bharadwaj following allegations of sexual harassment by a 17-year-old national-level shooter in Faridabad, Haryana. Bhardwaj is a national shooting coach and resides in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (SAS Nagar). He is absconding. A POCSO (Protection Of Children From Sexual Offences Act, 2012) case has been filed against him. He is also a part of the Salvo Shooting Academy and had started a venture featuring a wellness center and rehabilitation club in SAS Nagar along with his wife. The National Rifle Association of India has suspended Bharadwaj from all duties pending the inquiry. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police have arrested Dashmeet Singh, a 31-year-old man from Rajpura, Panjab for allegedly cheating women by posing as a prospective groom on matrimonial websites and social media platforms. After befriending women and gaining their trust, he allegedly induced them to transfer money on various pretexts before cutting off contact. Additionally, a hospital in Amritsar is celebrating Lohri for newborn girls. The initiative aims to strengthen the message of gender equality and underline the importance of providing girls equal status, opportunities and rights in society.
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