'Protecting Women Employees from Sexual Harassment at Workplace is Public Duty': Madras High Court

The Madras High Court pulled up the Railway Employees Cooperative Credit Society for its handling of a sexual harassment complaint by a woman employee.

The Society argued that a writ petition was not maintainable against it, but the Court disagreed. It held that protecting women employees from sexual harassment at the workplace is a public duty and cannot be avoided on technical grounds.

The Court emphasised that all institutions must have proper mechanisms and must act promptly on such complaints.

It directed the Society to follow the law on prevention of sexual harassment and to treat such grievances seriously.