GENDER SENSITIZATION AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF WOMEN AT THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA (PREVENTION, PROHIBITION AND REDRESSAL) REGULATION, 2013 - Date of Commencement of the Regulations.

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R.N.I.No.TELMUL/2016/73158.

HSE No.1051/2017-19.

THE TELANGANA GAZETTE

PART - II EXTRAORDINARY

PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY

No. 155 ] HYDERABAD, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2019.

NOTIFICATIONS BY HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS, Etc.,

––––x––––

JUDICIAL NOTIFICATION

HIGH COURT FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA : : HYDERABAD

GENDER SENSITIZATION AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF WOMEN AT THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA (PREVENTION, PROHIBITION AND REDRESSAL) REGULATION, 2013 - Date of Commencement of the Regulations.

NOTIFICATION No.39/SO/2019

ROC No.761/SO-1/2000.- In exercise of the powers conferred by Sub-clause (2) of Clause 1 of "The Gender Sensitization and Sexual Harassment of Women at the High Court for the State of Telangana (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Regulation, 2013", and the Chief Justice of High Court for the State of Telangana hereby appoints, the date of publication of the Regulations in the Official Gazette, as the date on which provisions of the said Regulations shall come into force.

[1]

G-504/1.

GENDER SENSITIZATION AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF WOMEN AT THE DISTRICT COURTS & SUBORDINATE COURTS, TRIBUNALS, TELANGANA STATE JUDICIAL ACADEMY AND TELANGANA STATE LEGAL SERVICES AUTHORITY UNDER THE ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL OF THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA (PREVENTION, PROHIBITION AND REDRESSAL) REGULATIONS, 2013 - Date of Commencement of the Regulations.

NOTIFICATION No.40/SO/2019

ROC No.761/SO-1/2000.- In exercise of the powers conferred by Sub-clause (2) of Clause 1 of "The Gender Sensitization and Sexual Harassment of Women at the District Courts & Subordinate Courts, Tribunals, Telangana State Judicial Academy and Telangana State Legal Services Authority under the Administrative control of the High Court for the State of Telangana (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Regulations, 2013", and the Chief Justice of High Court for the State of Telangana hereby appoints, the date of publication of the Regulations in the Official Gazette, as the date on which provisions of the said Regulations shall come into force.

Hyderabad,

A. VENKATESWARA REDDY,

26-11-2019.

Registrar General.

THE GENDER SENSITIZATION & SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF WOMEN AT THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA (PREVENTION, PROHIBITION AND REDRESSAL) REGULATIONS, 2013.

INDEX

THE GENDER SENSITISATION & SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF WOMEN

AT THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA (PREVENTION,

PROHIBITION AND REDRESSAL) REGULATIONS, 2013.

WHEREAS gender discrimination and sexual harassment results in violation of the fundamental right of a woman to equality under Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution of India and her right to life and to live with dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution of India and right to practice any profession or to carry on any occupation, trade or business which includes a right to a safe environment free from sexual harassment under Article 19 (1) (g) of the Constitution of India;

And WHEREAS sensitization against discrimination on basis of gender and the protection against sexual harassment and the right to work with dignity are universally recognised human rights by international conventions and instruments such as convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women, which has been ratified on the 25th June, 1993 by the Government of India;

AND WHEREAS it is expedient to make provisions for giving effect to the Constitution of India and the said Convention for protection of women against sexual harassment at High Court precincts;

AND WHEREAS it is necessary to provide for gender sensitization in working environment and protection against sexual harassment of women at the High Court precincts and for the prevention and redressal of complaints of sexual harassment and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto;

AND WHEREAS according to the decision in Vishaka Vs State of Rajasthan rendered by the Supreme Court in its Judgment dated 13th August 1997, in

Writ Petition (Crl.) No.666-70/92, it is necessary to provide for the protection of women;

AND WHEREAS in the Judgment of the Supreme Court in Medha Kotwal Lele Vs Union of India & Others, rendered by the Supreme Court on 19 October, 2012 reported in (2013) 1 SCC 297, the necessity of protecting women from any form of indecency, indignity and disrespect in all places ( in their homes as well as outside) , is emphasized and it has been directed to provide new initiatives of education and advancement of women and girls in all spheres of life and the further directions given in the said judgment including the directions with regard to the need to give instructions/circulars by all statutory bodies such as the Bar Council of India, Bar Associations and the State Bar

Councils and the liberty granted in the said judgment to approach the respective courts and the directions to the courts to effectively consider the grievances raised in this regard;

AND WHEREAS following upon and in conformity with the above and also the judgment of Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in Writ Petition (Civil) No.162 of 2013, Ms Binu Tamta & Ors. v. High Court of Delhi, the Hon'ble Chief Justice of the High Court for the State of Telangana appointed a committee for framing regulations to ensure a safe working environment for women in the precincts of the High Court for the State of Telangana;

AND WHEREAS the said committee framed regulations to combat the problem of sexual harassment within the precincts of the High Court for the State of Telangana and for the redressal of any complaint that may be filed in that regard;

AND WHEREAS the draft regulations are placed before the High Court on 28.01.2014 ;

AND WHEREAS the High Court by order dated 04.02.2014 pleased to approve the said draft regulations and authorized the issuance of the same and order the enforcement of the Regulations inter alia having regard to the aforesaid judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India;

AND WHEREAS now these Regulations are being published as a comprehensive code for prevention of sexual harassment of women within the precincts of the High Court for the State of Telangana and for redressal/ of any complaints that may be lodged in the High Court for the State of Telangana;

The High Court for the State of Telangana makes the following Regulations:

G-504/2.

CHAPTER I

PRELIMINARY

1. Short title, extent and commencement:-

(1) These Regulations may be called the Gender Sensitization & Sexual Harassment of Women at the High Court for the State of Telangana (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Regulations, 2013.

(2) They shall come into force on such date as the Chief Justice of High Court for the State of Telangana may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.

2. Definitions:- In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires-

(a) 'aggrieved woman' means, in relation to the High Court precincts, any female, of any age, whether employed or not, who claims to have been subjected to any act of sexual harassment by any person in the High Court for the State of Telangana precincts, but does not include any female who is already governed by the High Court service regulations;

(b) 'Appropriate Authority' means in relation to the High Court for the State of Telangana, the Chief Justice of High Court for the State of Telangana;

(c) 'Chairperson' means the Chairperson of the High Court Gender Sensitization and Internal Complaints Committee (GSICC);

(d) 'Chief Justice of High Court for the State of Telangana' in context of the present Regulations means the sitting Chief Justice of High Court for the State of Telangana;

(e) 'Habitual Respondent' is a person against whom a previous Complaint of sexual harassment has been received by the GSICC on earlier occasion, irrespective of whether the matter was resolved with or without an inquiry and except where the Respondent has been exonerated in the previous complaint;

(f) GSICC means the High Court Gender Sensitization and Internal Complaints Committee constituted under Regulations 4;

(g) 'Internal Sub-Committee' means the Sub-Committee set up under Regulation 9; (h) 'Member' means a Member of the GSICC; (i) 'Prescribed' means as prescribed by the present Regulations;

(j) 'Respondent' means a person against whom the aggrieved woman has made a complaint under the present Regulations;

(k) 'Sexual harassment' includes any one or more of the following unwelcome acts or behaviour (whether directly or by implication) namely:-

(i) physical contact and advances; (ii) any demand or request for sexual favours; (iii) making sexually coloured remarks; (iv) showing or exhibiting pornography and / or sexually explicit material by any means; (v) sending undesirable sexually coloured written messages, text messages, e-mail messages, or any such messages by electronic, manual or other means;

(vi) stalking or consistently following aggrieved woman in the High Court precincts and outside; (vii) voyeurism including overt or tacit observation by the Respondent by any means of the aggrieved woman in her private moments;

(viii) any conduct whereby the Respondent takes advantage of his position and subjects the aggrieved woman to any form of sexual harassment and seeks sexual favours specially while holding out career advancements whether explicitly or implicitly, as an incentive or a natural result of submitting to the insinuations/demands of the Respondent;

(ix) any other unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of sexual nature; (x) implied or explicit promise of preferential treatment in her legal career; (xi) implied or explicit threat of detrimental treatment in her legal career;

(xii) implied or explicit threat about her present or future legal career; (xiii) interferes with her work or creating an intimidating or offensive or hostile work environment for her; or

(xiv) any treatment having a sexual colour or content likely to affect her emotional and / or physical health or safety.

(l) 'High Court for the State of Telangana Precincts' means the whole premises of the High Court including the Court Block, open grounds, parking, old and new Chamber Blocks, libraries, Canteens, bar- rooms, health centers and/ or any other part of the premises under the Control of the Hon'ble' the Chief Justice of High Court for the State of Telangana;

(m) 'Volunteer' means lawyers or other persons enlisted by the GSICC without any remuneration basis for carrying out the objects and purpose of these Regulations.

3. Prevention of sexual harassment: – No Woman shall be subjected to sexual harassment at the High Court for the State of Telangana Precincts.

CHAPTER II

COMPOSITION & CONSTITUTION OF GENDER SENSITISATION & INTERNAL

COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE

4. Constitution of the Gender Sensitization & Internal Complaints Committee:-

(1) The High Court GSICC is constituted herein to fulfill a very important public function of sensitizing the public to gender issues and to address any complaints made with regard to sexual harassment at the High Court precincts.

(2) The Chief Justice of High Court for the State of Telangana shall, by an order in writing, constitute a Committee to be known as the "High Court Gender Sensitisation and Internal Complaints Committee" (GSICC) which shall consist of not less than 7 members and not more than 13 members and shall include the following as far as practicable;

(a) one or two Judges of the High Court in terms of the Judgment in the case of Vishaka (supra), one of whom shall be the Chairperson of the Committee, to be nominated by the Chief Justice of High Court for the State of Telangana.

(b) One or two senior members of the High Court Bar, with at least 20 years of membership of the High Court Bar Association or the High Court Advocates Association to be nominated by the Hon'ble Chief Justice of High Court for the State of Telangana, one of whom being a woman;

(c) Two members of High Court Bar Association named and forwarded by the President , High Court Bar Association who shall be registered members of the High Court Bar Association for at least 10 years out of whom at least one shall be a woman;

(d) one woman member being a member of the Advocates Association;

(e) at least one and at the most two outside members to be nominated by the Chief Justice of High Court for the State of Telangana persons who are associated with the Social Welfare Department or non- governmental organization (NGO) having experience in the field of social justice, women empowerment, and/or gender justice, out of whom at least one member shall be a woman;

(f) one woman officer in the service of the High Court for the State of Telangana not below the rank of a Deputy Registrar to be nominated by the Hon'ble Chief Justice of High Court for the State of Telangana, who shall function as the Member Secretary of the GSICC; and8 TELANGANA GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY [Part II (g) any other member that the Chief Justice of High Court for the State of Telangana (preferably from High Court Service) may deem fit to nominate .

Provided that it shall be ensured that the majority of the members of GSICC shall be woman members;

(3) The outside Member appointed under Clause 4 (2) (f) shall be paid such fees or allowances from the allocated funds for holding the proceedings of the GSICC as may be prescribed.

(4) Where the Chairperson or any Member of the GSICC:-

(a) has been convicted for an offence or an inquiry into an offence under any law for the time being in force is pending against him/her;

(b) fails to constitute Internal Sub-Committee to inquire into a particular complaint;

(c) fails to take action under Regulation 11;

(d) contravenes or attempts to contravene or abets contravention of other provisions of these Regulations or any notifications/orders issued thereunder; or

(e) in the opinion of the Chief Justice of High Court for the State of Telangana, such Chairperson or Member has so abused his/her position as to render his/her continuance in office prejudicial to the exercise of functions of the GSICC, as the case may be, shall be removed forthwith from the GSICC by a written order of the Chief Justice of High Court for the State of Telangana and the vacancy so occurred shall be filled by fresh nomination/election in accordance with the provisions of these Regulations.

5. TERM OF GENDER SENSITIZATION & INTERNAL COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE MEMBERS:-

The term of each member of the GSICC shall be for two years, subject to the member being elected/nominated for a maximum period of two terms, and a member who has been removed under Regulations 4(5) shall not be eligible for re-nomination or re-election.

6. Meetings Of The Gender Sensitization & Internal Complaints Committee:-

(1) the GSICC shall meet at least once in four months in a calendar year.

(2) Members shall be intimated of meetings and agenda in writing and/or by electronic communication by the Member Secretary.

(3) Minutes of all meetings shall be recorded, confirmed and adopted. The Member Secretary shall circulate the minutes of a meeting and the Resolutions so passed to all Members of the GSICC within 7 days of the holding of the meeting or the passing of the Resolution.

(4) The Ordinary Meeting shall be called by the Chairperson with minimum seven days notice to all members.

(5) Any member of the GSICC may at any time request the Chairperson to call an Emergency Meeting with a notice of Forty-Eight hours. However, this will not prevent the Chairperson from convening an emergency meeting without 48 hours notice.

(6) The quorum for all Meetings shall be one-third of the members of the GSICC. In the event the quorum is not completed for any meeting, an adjourned meeting shall be held within the next 10 days following, for which no quorum shall be required.

(7) All motions shall be carried by a simple majority of those present and voting at all meetings, except where it is otherwise specifically provided for;

(8) Whenever a complaint is received or a Report of the Internal sub-Committee is submitted, the Member-Secretary shall within a period of 7 days request the Chairperson to call either an Ordinary or Emergency Meeting to take action on the same, and the Chairperson shall call a meeting for this purpose not later than 15 days from the date of the Complaint or the Report;

(9) If a Member does not attend 3 consecutive meetings he/she shall be liable to removal forthwith by the Chief Justice of High Court for the State of Telangana, and the vacancy so occurred shall be filled in accordance with the Regulations.

7. Functions Of The Gender Sensitization & Internal Complaints Committee:–

(1) GSICC shall be responsible for framing a Policy from time to time and its implementation with regard to gender sensitization and prevention and redressal of Sexual Harassment in the High Court.

(2) Gender Sensitization and Orientation: GSICC shall take the following steps with regard to gender sensitization and orientation.

(i) GSICC will ensure the prominent publicity of the Policy on gender sensitization and prevention and redressal of Sexual Harassment in the High Court for the State of Telangana in all places in the High Court precincts such as the Court Building, old and new Chambers Blocks, Library, health centre, canteens etc.

(ii) GSICC will organize programmes for the gender sensitization of the High Court community through workshops, seminars, posters, film shows, debates, displays etc.

(iii) GSICC shall submit an Annual Report by December 31 every year to the Chief Justice of High Court for the State of Telangana, which shall be made public outlining the activities undertaken by it and charting out a blueprint for the activities/steps to be taken up in the following year along with necessary budget allowances required by it. The GSICC shall include in the Annual Report the number of cases filed, if any, and their disposal under these Regulations in the annual report.

(iv) GSICC may enlist the help of NGO's, associations, volunteers, lawyers, lawyer's bodies, or the concerned legal services authorities to carry out these programmes.

(v) GSICC will enlist and activate an adequately representative team of volunteers and shall ensure the widespread publicity of the contact details (both official and personal) of all its members and volunteers. The services of such volunteers shall be available at all times to any aggrieved woman or any person in need of consultation or guidance. Volunteers will also assist in the gender sensitization, crisis mediation and crises management duties of GSICC, but shall not participate in the task of formal redressal of complaints under these Regulations and procedures.

(vi) GSICC will organize and train members and volunteers to equip them to handle sexual harassment cases including legal and medical aspects of aid.

(3) Crisis Management and Mediation:

GSICC shall ensure that there is quick and responsive crises management, counseling and mediation available to all aggrieved women expeditiously which shall include the following activities:

(i) GSICC will assist in the mediation of crises arising out of incidents of sexual harassment at the High Court precincts.

(ii) No mediation shall conclude without approval of the GSICC, and the mediated settlement shall be effected and be enforceable only upon it being duly approved by the GSICC which shall satisfy itself that the said mediation settlement is voluntary, fair, unbiased and free from any extraneous consideration or influence.

G-504/3.

(iii) GSICC will coordinate with the High Court security services to devise ways and means by which a system of prevention of and crisis management that is both gender-sensitive as well as prompt and effective is put in place. It will maintain regular contact through the Member Secretary with the High Court security services to ensure that in crises arising out of incidents of sexual harassment, GSICC members, and/or the volunteers identified by it, shall be intimated of such incidents without delay.

(4) Complaint Redressal - The GSICC shall ensure that every complaint of an aggrieved woman is adequately dealt with in accordance with the established procedure and with complete sensitivity. The GSICC shall have the power to inquire into and pass orders against the Respondent/deviant/ delinquent in a complaint made in relation to any form of sexual harassment in the entire precincts of the Hon'ble High Court.

CHAPTER - III

COMPLAINT & INQUIRY INTO COMPLAINT

8. Complaint of Sexual Harassment:–

(1) Any aggrieved woman may make a complaint in writing of sexual harassment at the High Court for the State of Telangana precincts to the GSICC through the Member Secretary in accordance with the form and procedure so notified by it.

Provided that where the aggrieved woman is unable to make such a complaint in writing due to any reason, the Member of the GSICC or volunteer, as the case may be, shall render all reasonable assistance to the woman for making the complaint in writing.

(2) Where the aggrieved woman is unable to make a complaint on account of her physical or mental incapacity or death or for any other reason, her legal heir or such other person directly concerned with her interests may make a complaint under this Regulation.

9. Inquiry into complaint:-

(1) On receiving a complaint and upon being satisfied with regard to the genuineness of the Complaint, the GSICC shall constitute an Internal Sub-Committee to conduct a fact finding inquiry, which shall comprise of three members of the GSICC itself, or such other persons to be so nominated by the GSICC in its meeting, with majority members being women, and at least one person being an outside member.

(2) The Internal sub-Committee shall conduct an inquiry and shall hear and duly record the statements of the aggrieved woman, the Respondent, and any other person the said parties wish to examine, subject to the provisions of Regulations 13(2), and thereafter it shall prepare a Report and enclose therein the complete proceedings of the Inquiry.

(3) The fact finding inquiry into a Complaint shall be conducted and completed within 90 days of the Constitution of the Internal Sub–Committee.

Provided that the validity of any inquiry shall not be called into question upon the inquiry not being completed within the stipulated period due to reasons beyond the control of the Internal Sub-Committee.

10. Inquiry Report:-

(1) On the completion of an inquiry under these Regulations, the Internal Sub-Committee shall provide the Inquiry Report of its findings along with the complete record of the inquiry proceedings including the pleadings and all the material on record to the GSICC within a period of ten days from the date of completion of the inquiry and such Report shall also be made available to the concerned parties.

(2) Where the Internal sub-Committee arrives at the conclusion that the allegation against the Respondent has not been proved, it shall recommend to the GSICC that no action is required to be taken in the matter.

(3) Where the Internal sub-Committee arrives at the conclusion that the allegation against the Respondent has been proved, it shall recommend to the GSICC to take appropriate action for gender discrimination and/or sexual harassment.

(4) Upon consideration of the material on record and the Inquiry Report of the Internal Sub-Committee, if more than two-thirds of the members of the GSICC differ from the conclusion of the Internal sub- Committee, the GSICC shall after hearing the aggrieved woman and Respondent in person, record its reasons to so differ and take consequent action accordingly.

(5) The GSICC shall pass orders either accepting or rejecting the Inquiry Report of the Internal Sub- Committee and thereafter pass consequent orders that may be appropriate and necessary for putting an end to the sexual harassment and take all steps to secure justice to the victim of sexual harassment within 45 working days of submission of the Inquiry Report of the Internal sub-Committee, excluding the period of holidays, and/or vacation of the High Court.

Provided that the validity of the orders of the GSICC shall not be called into question upon the same not being passed within the stipulated time.

11. Orders on Inquiry Report:-

(1) Subject to Regulation 9(1) above, the GSICC shall have the power to pass the following orders to secure justice to the victim of sexual harassment:

(a) admonition;

(b) admonition with publication of such admonition in the Court precincts including cause lists and High Court Website;

(c) prohibition from harassing the victim in any manner including, but not limited to, prohibition from communicating with her in any manner such as phones, messages, electronic means, physical or other means for a specified period; and

(d) subject to Regulation 11 (2), pass all orders, directions, and /or direct taking steps necessary for putting an end to the sexual harassment of the aggrieved woman;

(2) GSICC will also have the power to recommend to the Chief Justice of High Court for the State of Telangana to pass orders against the Respondent including, but not limited, to the following:-

(a) debarment of entry into the High Court precincts for a specified period extending up to maximum period of one year; and

(b) in appropriate cases , to recommend filing of a criminal complaint and/or a disciplinary complaint before the concerned disciplinary authority governing the Respondent (including the concerned Bar Council) for taking appropriate action, and the Chief Justice of High Court for the State of Telangana may pass orders thereon subject to Regulation 12.

(3) The GSICC shall pass orders on the Inquiry Report and /or shall make recommendations to the Chief Justice of High Court for the State of Telangana within 45 working days of the submission of the Inquiry Report, excluding the period of vacation of the High Court and communicate the same to the parties forthwith.

(4) The GSICC and the Internal sub-Committee shall have the jurisdiction to inquire into a complaint and take any action thereon notwithstanding any criminal complaint or any other complaint under any other law (including a disciplinary proceeding under the Advocates Act, 1961) may have been filed with respect to the same complaint/actions.

(5) The orders of the Chief Justice of High Court for the State of Telangana and the GSICC shall be final and binding on the parties.

12. Representation:-

(1) Any person aggrieved by the order passed (or not passed) by the GSICC under Regulation 11(1), or recommendation made by the GSICC to the Chief Justice under Regulation 11(2), or non-implementation of such orders or action may make a representation to the Chief Justice of High Court for the State of Telangana who shall have the power to set aside or modify the orders passed or the recommendation made as the Chief Justice may deem fit, and also have the power to issue such orders or directions that may be necessary to secure complete justice to the victim of sexual harassment.

(2) The representation under Regulation 12(1) shall be preferred within a period of ninety days of communication of the order or recommendation.

13. Restraint Order:-

(1) On the receipt of a Complaint and during the pendency of an Inquiry, on a written request made by the aggrieved woman, the GSICC if it considers it fit and proper may recommend specific interim measures to be taken in a signed decision to the Chief Justice, who on receipt thereof may pass such interim orders that may be required for the personal safety and for the safeguarding the dignity of the aggrieved woman, and both the aggrieved woman and the Respondent shall be bound by the same.

(2) Upon disobedience, defiance or violation of the order passed under clause (1) above by the Respondent, the GSICC shall close and/or strike off the defence of the Respondent and pass final orders under Regulation 10(5) and Regulation 11.

CHAPTER IV

POWERS & DUTIES

14. Powers of GSICC & Internal sub-Committee:–

(1) The GSICC shall have the power to issue circulars/notifications prescribing its procedure and for the purpose of carrying out and implementing the provisions of the present Regulations in their spirit and intent.

(2) The GSICC shall have the power to pass any orders to be able to carry out the objectives and mandate of the present Regulations including directing any party or person to take any suitable action.

(3) For the purpose of making an inquiry, the GSICC and the Internal sub-Committee shall have the same powers as are vested in a Civil Court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 when trying a suit in respect of the following matters, namely:-

(a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath;

(b) requiring the discovery and production of documents; and

(c) any other matter which may be prescribed.

(4) The GSICC by Resolution to be passed by two thirds majority may remove any member of the Internal Sub-Committee and appoint a new member in his/her place, only if it is of the view that such a member has acted prejudicially to the principles of natural justice, fair play and has acted with bias in the conduct of the Inquiry.

(5) The GSICC shall at all times have supervisory powers over the Internal Sub-Committee and it may issue directions to the Internal Sub-Committee from time to time in accordance with the provisions of the present Regulations.

15. Duties:-

The GSICC in coordination with and with the assistance of the office of the High Court shall-

(a) take measures to provide a safe working environment at the High Court for the State of Telangana precincts;

(b) display at any conspicuous place in the High Court and on its web-site, the penal consequences of sexual harassments and the order constituting the Internal Committee under the present Regulations;

(c) display at any conspicuous place in the High Court and on its web site, the status and outcome of complaints of sexual harassment;

(d) organize workshops and awareness programmes at regular intervals for sensitizing the persons carrying out work at the High Court premises with the provisions of the present Regulations and orientation programmes for the members of the Internal Committee in the manner as may be prescribed;

(e) provide necessary facilities to the internal sub-committee for dealing with the complaint and conducting an inquiry;

(f) assist in securing the attendance of respondent and witnesses before the Internal sub-committee;

(g) obtain such information for the Internal Sub-Committee as it may require having regard to the complaint;

(h) cause to initiate action, under the Indian Penal Code or any other law for the time being in force, against the Respondent and/or the perpetrator;

(i) monitor the timely submission of reports by the Internal Sub-Committee; and

(j) Take any other action and/or measures to ensure an effective and meaningful implementation of the present Regulations.

CHAPTER V

MISCELLANENOUS

16.Confidentiality:-

(1) The contents of the complaint made under the present Regulations, the identity and address of the aggrieved woman, respondent and witnesses, any information relating to the inquiry proceedings, recommendations of the GSICC and the action taken by the GSICC shall be confidential and shall not be published, communicated or made known to the public, press and media in any manner except upon the aggrieved woman submitting a specific request to do so in writing and upon the GSICC acceding to the said request.

(2) Upon the Respondent being found guilty, information may be disseminated regarding the justice secured to any victim of sexual harassment under these Regulations without disclosing the name, address, identity or any other particulars calculated to lead to the identification of the aggrieved woman and witnesses.

17. Protection of action taken in good faith:- No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall lie against the CJ, GSICC and the Internal Sub-Committee or its members in respect of anything which is done or intended to be done in good faith in pursuance of these Regulations, and the circulars/orders/ notifications issued thereunder.

18. Allocation of funds:- The Chief Justice of High Court for the State of Telangana may, subject to the availability of financial and other resources allocate and provide suitable funds as may be prescribed.

(a) for the effective implementation of the present Regulations;

(b) for development of relevant information, education, communication and training materials, for organization of awareness programmes, and for advancement of the understanding of the public of the provisions of these Regulations; or

(c) for organizing orientation and training programmes for the members of the GSICC, Internal sub- committees, volunteers, counselors etc.,

19. Regulations not in derogation of any other law:-

(1) The provisions of these Regulations shall be in addition to and not in derogation of the provisions of any other law for the time being in force.

(2) The provisions of the present Regulations shall not bar any Court from taking cognizance of any offence punishable under any other enactment or law.

G-504/4.

THE GENDER SENSITIZATION & SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF WOMEN AT THE DISTRICT COURTS & SUBORDINATE COURTS, TRIBUNALS, TELANGANA STATE JUDICIAL ACADEMY AND TELANGANA STATE LEGAL SERVICES AUTHORITY UNDER THE ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL OF THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA (PREVENTION, PROHIBITION AND REDRESSAL) REGULATIONS, 2013

THE GENDER SENSITISATION & SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF WOMEN AT THE

SUBORDINATE COURTS, TRIBUNALS, TELANGANA STATE JUDICIAL ACADEMY AND

TELANGANA STATE LEGAL SERVICES AUTHORITY UNDER THE ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL

OF THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA (PREVENTION, PROHIBITION AND

REDRESSAL) REGULATIONS, 2013.

WHEREAS gender discrimination and sexual harassment results in violation of the fundamental right of a woman to equality under Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution of India and her right to life and to live with dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution of India and right to practice any profession or to carry on any occupation, trade or business which includes a right to a safe environment free from sexual harassment under Article 19 (1) (g) of the Constitution of India;

AND WHEREAS Sensitization against discrimination on basis of gender and the protection against sexual harassment and the right to work with dignity are universally recognised human rights by international conventions and instruments such as convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women, which has been ratified on the 25th June, 1993 by the Government of India;

AND WHEREAS it is expedient to make provisions for giving effect to the Constitution of India and the said convention for protection of women against sexual harassment at District Courts & Subordinate Courts, Tribunals, Telangana State Judicial Academy and Telangana State Legal Services Authority;

AND WHEREAS it is necessary to provide for gender sensitization in working environment and protection against sexual harassment of women in the precincts of District Courts & Subordinate Courts, Tribunals, Telangana State Judicial Academy, and Telangana State Legal Services Authority and for the prevention and redressal of complaints of sexual harassment and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto;

AND WHEREAS according to the decision in Vishaka Vs State of Rajasthan rendered by the Supreme Court in its Judgment dated 13th August 1997, in Writ Petition (Crl.) No.666-70/92 it is necessary to provide for the protection of women;

AND WHEREAS in the Judgment of the Supreme Court in Medha Kotwal Lele Vs Union of India & Others, rendered by the Supreme Court on 19 October, 2012 reported in (2013) 1 SCC 297, the necessity of protecting women from any form of indecency, indignity and disrespect in all places (in their homes as well as outside), is emphasized and it has been directed to provide new initiatives of education and advancement of women and girls in all spheres of life and the further directions given in the said judgment including the directions with regard to the need to give instructions/circulars by all statutory bodies such as the Bar Council of India, Bar Associations and State Bar Councils and the liberty granted in the said judgment to approach the respective courts and the directions to the courts to effectively consider the grievances raised in this regard;

AND WHEREAS following upon and in conformity with the above and the judgment of Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in Writ Petition (Civil) No.162 of 2013, Ms Binu Tamta & Ors. v. High Court of Delhi, the Hon'ble Chief Justice of Telangana High Court appointed a committee for framing regulations to ensure a safe working environment for women in the precincts of the District Courts and Subordinate Courts, Tribunals, Telangana State Judicial Academy and Telangana State Legal Services Authority under the administrative control of the High Court for the State of Telangana;

AND WHEREAS the said committee framed regulations to combat the problem of sexual harassment within the precincts of the District Courts and Subordinate Courts, Tribunals, Telangana State Judicial Academy and Telangana State Legal Services Authority under the administrative control of the High Court for the State of Telangana and for the redressal of any complaint that may be filed in that regard;

AND WHEREAS the draft regulations are placed before the High Court on 28.01.2014;

AND WHEREAS the High Court by order dated 04.02.2014 pleased to approve the said draft regulations and authorized the issuance of the same and ordered the enforcement of the Regulations inter alia having regard to the aforesaid judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India and in terms of the power of superintendence of the High Court for the State of Telangana under Article 227(2)(b) of the Constitution of India;

AND WHEREAS now these Regulations are being published as a comprehensive code for prevention of sexual harassment of women within the precincts of the District Courts & Subordinate Courts, Tribunals, Telangana State Judicial Academy and Telangana State Legal Services Authority and for redressal/ of any complaints that may be lodged in the respective Courts/Tribunals/Telangana State Judicial Academy and Telangana State Legal Services Authority;

The High Court for the State of Telangana, Hyderabad makes the following Regulations:

CHAPTER I

PRELIMINARY

1. Short title, extent and commencement:-

(1) These Regulations may be called the Gender Sensitization & Sexual Harassment of Women at the District Courts & Subordinate Courts, Tribunals, Telangana State Judicial Academy and Telangana State Legal Services Authority, (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Regulations, 2013.

(2) They shall come into force on such date as the Chief Justice of Telangana may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.

2. Definitions:- In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires-

(a) 'aggrieved woman' means, any female, of any age, whether employed or not, who claims to have been subjected to any act of sexual harassment by any person in the precincts of the District Courts & Subordinate Courts, Tribunals, Telangana State Judicial Academy and Telangana State Legal Services Authority, but does not include any female who is already governed by the Telangana Judicial Service Regulations;

(b) 'Appropriate Authority' means in relation to:

(i) District Court and all Subordinate Courts in the District thereto: Prl. District & Sessions Judge.

(ii) Tribunals: Chairman of the Prl. Tribunal.

(iii) Telangana State Judicial Academy: Director of Telangana State Judicial Academy, Secunderabad.

(iv) Telangana State Legal Services Authority: Member Secretary, Telangana State Legal Services Authority, Hyderabad.

(c) 'Chairperson' means:

(i) Prl. District & Sessions Judge of the concerned District.

(ii) Tribunals: Chairman of the Prl. Tribunal.

(iii) Telangana State Judicial Academy: Director of Telangana State Judicial Academy, Secunderabad.

(iv) Telangana State Legal Services Authority: Member Secretary, Telangana State Legal Services Authority, Hyderabad.

(d) 'Habitual Respondent' is a person against whom a complaint of sexual harassment has been received by the GSICC previously irrespective of whether the matter was resolved with or without an inquiry except where the Respondent has been exonerated in the previous complaint.

(e) GSICC means Gender Sensitization and Internal Complaints Committee for the District Courts & Subordinate Courts, Tribunals, Telangana State Judicial Academy and Telangana State Legal Services Authority constituted under Regulations 4;

(f) 'Committee' means the Committee set up under Regulation 9; (g) Member Secretary means one of the regular any women staff member from the cadre of not less than Senior Assistant.

(h) 'Member' means a Member of the GSICC;

(i) 'Prescribed' means as prescribed by the present Regulations; (j) 'Respondent' means a person against whom the aggrieved woman has made a complaint under the present Regulations;

(k) 'Sexual harassment' includes any one or more of the following unwelcome acts or behaviours (whether directly or by implication) namely:-

(i) Physical contact and advances; (ii) Demand or request for sexual favours; (iii) Making sexually coloured remarks; (iv) Showing or exhibiting pornography and / or sexually explicit material by any means; (v) Sending undesirable sexually coloured, written messages, text messages, e-mail messages; Or any such messages by electronic, manual or other means;

(vi) Stalking or consistently following aggrieved woman in the High Court precincts and outside; (vii) voyeurism including overt or tacit observation by the respondent by any means of the aggrieved woman in her private moments;

(viii) any conduct whereby the respondent takes advantage of his position and subjects the aggrieved woman to any form of sexual harassment and seeks sexual favours specially while holding out career advancements whether explicitly or implicitly, as an incentive or a natural result of submitting to the insinuations/demands of the Respondent;

(ix) any other unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of sexual nature; (x) implied or explicit promise of preferential treatment in her legal career; (xi) implied or explicit threat of detrimental treatment in her legal career; (xii) implied or explicit threat about her present or future legal career; (xiii) Interfering with her work or creating an intimidating, offensive hostile work environment for her etc. or

(xiv) any treatment having a sexual colour or content likely to affect her emotional and / or physical health or safety.

(l) 'Precincts' means:-

(i) In District Courts & Subordinate Courts the whole premises of the Courts including the Court Block, open grounds, parking, libraries, canteens, waiting-rooms, health centers and/ or any other part of the premises under the control of the Presiding Officers of concerned Courts.

(ii) Tribunals : the whole premises of the Tribunal including the Court Block, open grounds, parking, libraries, canteens, waiting-rooms, health centers and/ or any other part of the premises under the control of the Presiding Officers of concerned tribunals.

(iii) Telangana State Judicial Academy: the whole premises of the academy including open grounds, parking, libraries, canteens, waiting rooms, health centers and/ or any other part of the premises. (iv) Telangana State Legal Services Authority: the whole premises of the Legal Services Authority including open grounds, parking, libraries, canteens, waiting-rooms, health centers and/ or any other part of the premises.

(m) 'Volunteer' means lawyers or other persons enlisted by the GSICC basis for carrying out the objects and purpose of these Regulations without any remuneration.

3. Prevention of sexual harassment: – No woman shall be subjected to sexual harassment at the precincts of the District Courts & Subordinate Courts, Tribunals, Telangana State Judicial Academy and Telangana State Legal Services Authority.

G-504/5.

CHAPTER - II

COMPOSITION & CONSTITUTION OF GENDER SENSITISATION & INTERNAL

COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE

4. Constitution of the Gender Sensitization & Internal Complaints Committee:-

(1) The District Courts, Tribunals, Telangana State Judicial Academy and Telangana State Legal Services Authority, Gender Sensitisation & Internal Complaints Committee is constituted herein to fulfill a very important public function of sensitizing the public to gender issues and to address any complaints made with regard to sexual harassment at the precincts of the District Courts & Subordinate Courts, Tribunals, Telangana State Judicial Academy and Telangana State Legal Services Authority.

(2) The Chairperson as defined in Regulations 2(c) of the Regulations shall, by an order in writing, constitute a Committee to be known as the ['District Courts and Subordinate Courts', 'Tribunals', 'Telangana State Judicial Academy' and 'Telangana State Legal Services Authority' Gender Sensitisation and Internal Complaints Committee (GSICC)] which shall consist of not less than FIVE members and shall include the following as far as practicable;

WITH REGARD TO THE DISTRICT COURTS:

(a) one or two Presiding Officers of the Subordinate Courts, one of whom being a women. (b) two senior members of the District Bar Association with at least 10 years of standing to be nominated by the Prl. District Judge concerned, one of whom being a woman in consultation with the President of the District Bar Association.

(c) two women staff members, in the cadre of superintendent, of the concerned District Court; the senior member between them to function as Member Secretary of the GSICC; Provided that it shall be ensured that the majority of the members of GSICC shall be women;

(d) The Chairperson shall not be the member of the GSICC.

WITH REGARD TO TRIBUNALS:

(i) Two senior members of the Tribunal.

(ii) One or two senior members of the Bar Association with 10 years standing to be nominated by the Chairman, one of whom being a woman in consultation with the President of the Bar Association;

(iii) Two woman staff members of the concerned Tribunal and the senior member between them shall function as Member Secretary of the GSICC.

(iv) The Chairperson shall not be the member of the GSICC.

WITH REGARD TO TELANGANA STATE JUDICIAL ACADEMY:

(i) Two senior Judicial Officers who are working in the Telangana State Judicial Academy, one of them being woman.

(ii) Three staff members of the Telangana State Judicial Academy with at least 2 among them are women and the senior most woman member shall function as Member Secretary of the GSICC.

(iii) The Chairperson shall not be the member of the GSICC.

WITH REGARD TO TELANGANA STATE LEGAL SERVICES AUTHORITY:

(i) Administrative Officer, Telangana State Legal Services Authority.

(ii) One or two Advocates having 10 years of standing to be nominated by the Member Secretary, one of whom being a woman.

(iii) Three women staff members of the Telangana State Legal Services Authority and the senior most member shall function as Member Secretary of the GSICC.

(iv) The Chairperson shall not be the member of the GSICC.

(3) Where the Chairperson of the GSICC

(a) has been convicted for an offence or an inquiry into an offence under any law for the time being in force is pending against him/her;

(b) fails to constitute Committee to inquire into a particular Complaint;

(c) fails to take action under Regulation 11;

(d) Contravenes or attempts to contravene or abets contravention of other provisions of these Regulations or any notifications/orders issued thereunder; or

(e) has abused his/her position as to render his/her continuance in the office prejudicial to the exercise of functions of the GSICC, such chairperson shall be removed forthwith from the GSICC by a written order by the Hon'ble High Court and the vacancy so created shall be filled by fresh nomination in accordance with the provisions of these Regulations.

(f) In the opinion of the Prl. District & Sessions Judge, Director, Telangana State Judicial Academy, Secunderabad and Member Secretary, Telangana State Legal Services Authority, Hyderabad, any member of GSICC committee has so abused his/her position as to render his/her continuance in office prejudicial to the exercise of functions of the GSICC, such Member, shall be removed forthwith from the GSICC by a written order of the said officers and the vacancy so created shall be filled by fresh nomination in accordance with the provisions of these Regulations.

(g) In the opinion of the High Court the Chairperson of GSICC Committee has so abused the Chairman shall be removed by the written order by the Hon'ble' High Court.

(4) Where any Member of the GSICC

(a) has been convicted for an offence or an inquiry into an offence under any law for the time being in force is pending against him/her;

(b) Contravenes or attempts to contravene or abets contravention of other provisions of these Regulations or any notifications/orders issued thereunder; or

(c) In the opinion of the Prl. District & Sessions Judge, Director, Telangana State Judicial Academy, Secunderabad and Member Secretary, Telangana State Legal Services Authority, Hyderabad, any member of GSICC committee has so abused his/her position as to render his/her continuance in office prejudicial to the exercise of functions of the GSICC, such Member, shall be removed forthwith from the GSICC by a written order of the said officers and the vacancy so created shall be filled by fresh nomination in accordance with the provisions of these Regulations.

5. TERM OF GENDER SENSITIZATION &INTERNAL COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE MEMBERS:-

The term of each member of the GSICC shall be for two years, subject to the member being nominated for a maximum period of two terms, and a member who has been removed under Regulations 4(5) shall not be eligible for re-nomination.

6. Meetings Of The Gender Sensitization & Internal Complaints Committee:-

(1) the GSICC shall meet at least once in four months in a calendar year.

(2) Members shall be intimated of meetings and agenda in writing and/or by electronic communication by the concerned Member Secretary.

(3) Minutes of all meetings shall be recorded, confirmed and adopted. The Member Secretary shall circulate the minutes of a meeting and the Resolutions so passed to all Members of the GSICC within 7 days of the holding of the meeting or the passing of the Resolution.

(4) The Ordinary Meeting shall be called by the Chairperson with minimum seven days notice to all members.

(5) Any member of the GSICC may at any time request the Chairperson to call an Emergency Meeting with a notice of Forty-Eight hours. However, this will not prevent the Chairperson from convening an emergency meeting without such notice.

(6) The quorum for all Meetings shall be one-third of the members of the GSICC. In the event the quorum is not completed for any meeting, an adjourned meeting shall be held within the next 10 days following, for which no quorum shall be required.

(7) All motions shall be carried by a simple majority of those present and voting at all meetings, except where it is specifically provided for

Whenever a Complaint is received to the Committee, the Member-Secretary shall within a period of 7 days request the Chairperson to call either an Ordinary or Emergency Meeting to take action on the same, and the Chairperson shall call a meeting for this purpose not later than 15 days from the date of the Complaint.

If a Member does not attend 3 consecutive meetings he/she shall be liable to removal forthwith by the Chairperson and the vacancy so occurred shall be filled in accordance with Regulations.

7. Functions of the Gender Sensitization & Internal Complaints Committee:–

(1) GSICC shall be responsible for framing a Policy from time to time and its implementation with regard to gender sensitization and prevention and redressal of Sexual Harassment in the District Courts & Subordinate Courts, Tribunals, Telangana State Judicial Academy and Telangana State Legal Services Authority.

(2) Gender Sensitization and Orientation: GSICC shall take the following steps with regard to gender sensitization and orientation.

(i) GSICC will ensure the prominent publicity of the Policy on gender sensitization and prevention and redressal of Sexual Harassment in the District Courts & Subordinate Courts, Tribunals, Telangana State Judicial Academy and Telangana State Legal Services Authority in all places in the Courts precincts such as the Court Building/Tribunals/ entire Judicial Academy/Office of the Member Secretary, Telangana State Legal Services Authority, Library, health centre, canteens; waiting halls etc.

(ii) GSICC will organize programmes for the gender sensitization of the Judicial Officers community through workshops, seminars, posters, film shows, debates, displays, etc.

(iii) GSICC shall submit an Annual Report by December 31st every year to the chairperson and which shall be made public outlining the activities undertaken by it and charting out a blueprint for the activities/steps to be taken up in the following year along with necessary budget allowances required by it and inturn the chairperson shall submit the said report to the Hon'ble Chief Justice of High Court for the State of Telangana; The GSICC shall include in the Annual Report the number of cases filed, if any, and their disposal under these Regulations in the annual report.

(iv) GSICC may enlist the help of NGO's, associations, volunteers, lawyers, lawyer's bodies, or the concerned Legal Services Authorities to carry out these programmes.

(v) GSICC will enlist and activate an adequately representative team of volunteers and shall ensure the widespread publicity of the contact details (both official and personal) of all its members and volunteers. The services of such volunteers shall be available at all times to any aggrieved woman or any person in need of consultation or guidance. Volunteers will also assist in the gender sensitization, crisis mediation and crises management duties of GSICC, but shall not participate in the task of formal redressal of complaints under these Regulations and procedures.

(vi) GSICC will organize and train members and volunteers to equip them to handle sexual harassment cases including legal and medical aspects of aid.

(3) Crisis Management and Mediation - GSICC shall ensure that there is quick and responsive crises management, counseling and mediation available to all aggrieved women expeditiously which shall include the following activities:

(i) GSICC will assist in the mediation of crises arising out of incidents of sexual harassment at the precincts of the District Courts & Subordinate Courts, Tribunals, Telangana State Judicial Academy and Telangana State Legal Services Authority.

(ii) No mediation shall conclude without approval of the GSICC, and the mediated settlement shall be effected and be enforceable only upon it being duly approved by the GSICC which shall satisfy itself that the said mediation settlement is voluntary, fair, unbiased, and free from any extraneous consideration or influence;

(ii) GSICC will coordinate with the Courts security services to devise ways and means by which a system of prevention of sexual harassment and crisis management that is both gender-sensitive as well as prompt and effective is put in place. It will maintain regular contact through the Member Secretary with the Courts security services to ensure that in crises arising out of incidents of sexual harassment, GSICC members, and/or the volunteers identified by it, shall be intimated of such incidents without delay.

(4) Complaint Redressal :-

The GSICC shall ensure that every complaint of an aggrieved woman is adequately dealt with in accordance with the established procedure and with complete sensitivity. The GSICC shall have the power to inquire into and pass orders against the Respondent/deviant/delinquent in a complaint made in relation to any form of sexual harassment in the entire precincts of the District Courts & Subordinate Courts, Tribunals, Telangana State Judicial Academy and Telangana State Legal Services Authority.

CHAPTER - III

COMPLAINT & INQUIRY INTO COMPLAINT

8. Complaint of Sexual Harassment:–

(1) Any aggrieved woman may make a complaint in writing of sexual harassment at the precincts of the District Courts and Subordinate Courts, Tribunals, Telangana State Judicial Academy and Telangana State Legal Services Authority to the GSICC through the Member Secretary of the committee in accordance with the form and procedure so notified by it. On receipt of the said complaint the Member Secretary shall place the same before Chairperson of the committee who shall place the same before GSICC for consideration.

Provided that where the aggrieved woman is unable to make such a complaint in writing due to any reason, the Member Secretary or the volunteer of the GSICC, as the case may be, shall render all reasonable assistance to the woman for making the complaint in writing.

(2) Where the aggrieved woman is unable to make a complaint on account of her physical or mental incapacity or death or for any other reason, her legal heir or such other person directly concerned with her interests may make a complaint under this Regulation.

9. Inquiry into complaint:-

(1) On receiving a complaint and upon being satisfied with regard to the genuineness of the complaint, the GSICC shall constitute an internal sub-Committee to conduct a fact finding inquiry, which shall comprise of three members of the GSICC itself or such other persons to be so nominated by the GSICC in its meeting with majority members being women and atleast one such nominee being an outside member.

G-504/6.

(2) The internal sub-Committee shall conduct an inquiry and shall hear and duly record the statements of the aggrieved woman, the Respondent, and any other person the said parties wish to examine, subject to the provisions of Regulations 13(2), and thereafter it shall prepare a Report and enclose therein the complete proceedings of the Inquiry.

(3) The fact finding inquiry into a complaint shall be conducted and completed within 90 days of the constitution of the sub-Committee.

Provided that the validity of any inquiry shall not be called into question upon the inquiry not being completed within the stipulated period due to reasons beyond the control of the sub-Committee.

10. Inquiry Report:-

(1) On the completion of an inquiry under these Regulations, the Committee shall submit the Inquiry Report of its findings along with the complete record of the inquiry proceedings including the pleadings and all the material on record to the Chairperson within a period of ten days from the date of completion of the inquiry and such Report shall also be made available to the concerned parties.

(2) Where the sub-Committee arrives at the conclusion that the allegation against the Respondent has not been proved, no action is required to be taken in the matter.

(3) Where the sub-Committee arrives at the conclusion that the allegation against the Respondent has been proved, it may recommend for taking appropriate action for gender discrimination and/or sexual harassment.

(4) Upon consideration of the material on record and the Inquiry Report, if more than two-thirds of the members of GSICC differ from the conclusion of the sub-Committee, it shall after hearing the aggrieved woman and Respondent in person, record its reasons to so differ and take consequent action accordingly.

(5) The Chairperson shall pass orders either accepting or rejecting the Inquiry Report of the Committee and thereafter pass consequent orders that may be appropriate and necessary for putting an end to the sexual harassment and take all steps to secure justice to the victim of sexual harassment within 45 working days of submission of the Inquiry Report excluding the period of holidays, and/or vacation of the Courts.

11. Orders on Inquiry Report:-

(1) Subject to Regulation 9(1) above, the Chairperson shall have the power to pass the following orders to secure justice to the victim of sexual harassment:

(a) admonition;

(b) admonition with publication of such admonition in the Court, Tribunal, Judicial Academy and Telangana State Legal Services Authority precincts including cause lists/in notice boards and in their Website;

(c) prohibition from harassing the victim in any manner including, but not limited to, prohibition from communicating with her in any manner such as phones, messages, electronic means physical or other means for a specified period; and

(d) subject to Regulation 11 (2), pass all orders, directions, and /or direct taking steps necessary for putting an end to the sexual harassment of the aggrieved woman.

(2) GSICC will also have the power to recommend to the Chairperson to pass orders against the Respondent including, but not limited, to the following:-

(a) debarment of entry into the precincts of the District Courts & Subordinate Courts, Tribunals, Telangana State Judicial Academy and Telangana State Legal Services Authority for a specified period extending up to maximum period of one year; and

(b) In appropriate cases, to recommend filing of a criminal complaint and/or a disciplinary complaint before the concerned disciplinary authority governing the Respondent (including the concerned Bar Council) for taking appropriate action, and the Chairperson may pass orders thereon subject to Regulation 12.

(3) The GSICC of District Courts, Tribunals, Telangana State Judicial Academy and Telangana State Legal Services Authority shall pass orders on the Inquiry Report and /or shall make recommendations to the Chairperson within 45 working days of the submission of the Inquiry Report, excluding the period of vacation of the Courts and communicate the same to the parties forthwith.

(4) The GSICC shall have the jurisdiction to inquire into a complaint and take any action thereon notwithstanding that any criminal complaint or any other complaint under any other law(including a disciplinary proceeding under the Advocates Act, 1961) may have been filed with respect to the same complaint/actions.

(5) The orders of the Chairperson and the GSICC shall be final and binding upon the parties.

12. Representation:-

(1) Any person aggrieved by the order passed (or not passed) by the GSICC under Regulation 11(1) or recommendation made by GSICC to the Chairperson under Regulation 11(2) or non-implementation of such orders or inaction thereupon, the aggrieved party may make a representation to the Chairperson, who shall have the power to set aside or modify the orders passed and also have the power to issue such orders or directions that may be necessary to secure complete justice to the victim of sexual harassment.

(2) The representation made under Regulation 12(1) shall be preferred within a period of ninety days of communication of the order made under Regulation 11.

13. Restraint Order:-

(1) On the receipt of a complaint and during the pendency of an Inquiry, on a written request made by the aggrieved woman, the GSICC if it considers it fit and proper may recommend specific interim measures to be taken in a signed decision to the Chairperson, who on receipt thereof may pass such interim orders that may be required for the personal safety and for safeguarding the dignity of the aggrieved woman, and both the aggrieved woman and the Respondent shall be bound by the same;

(2) Upon disobedience, defiance or violation of the order passed under clause (1) above by the Respondent, the GSICC shall close and/or strike off the defence of the Respondent and pass final orders under Regulation 10(5) and Regulation 11.

CHAPTER IV

POWERS & DUTIES

14. Powers of Committee:–

(1) The GSICC shall have the power to issue circulars/notifications prescribing its procedure and for the purpose of carrying out and implementing the provisions of the present Regulations in their spirit and intent.

(2) The GSICC shall have the power to pass any orders to be able to carry out the objectives and mandate of the present Regulations including directing any party or person to take any suitable action.

(3) For the purpose of making an inquiry, the GSICC shall have the same powers as are vested in a Civil Court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 when trying a suit in respect of the following matters, namely:-

(a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath;

(b) requiring the discovery and production of documents; and

(c) any other matter which may be prescribed.

(4) The GSICC by Resolution to be passed by two thirds majority may remove any member of the Committee and appoint a new member in his/her place, only if it is of the view that such a member has acted prejudicially to the principles of natural justice, fair play and has acted with bias in the conduct of the Inquiry.

15. Duties:- The GSICC in coordination of and with the assistance of the office of the Courts/Tribunals/Telangana State Judicial Academy and office of the Telangana State Legal Services Authority shall

(a) take measures to provide a safe working environment at the Court of precincts;

(b) display at any conspicuous place in the court building and on its web-site, the penal consequences of sexual harassments and the order constituting the Committee under the present Regulations;

(c) display at any conspicuous place in the court building and on its web site, the status and outcome of complaints of sexual harassment;

(d) organize workshops and awareness programmes at regular intervals for sensitizing the persons carrying out work at the Court premises with the provisions of the present Regulations and orientation programmes for the members of the Committee in the manner as may be prescribed;

(e) provide necessary facilities to the members of the Committee for dealing with the complaint and conducting an inquiry;

(f) assist in securing the attendance of respondent and witnesses before the committee;

(g) obtain such information as it may require having regard to the complaint;

(h) cause to initiate action, under the Indian Penal Code or any other law for the time being in force, against the Respondent and/or the perpetrator;

(i) monitor the timely submission of reports by the Committee; and

(j) Take any other action and/or measures to ensure an effective and meaningful implementation of the present Regulations.

CHAPTER V

MISCELLANENOUS

16.Confidentiality:-

(1) The contents of the complaint made under the present Regulations, the identity and addresses of the aggrieved woman, respondent and witnesses, any information relating, to the inquiry proceedings, the action taken by the GSICC shall be confidential and shall not be published, communicated or made known to the public, press and media in any manner except upon the aggrieved woman submitting a specific request to do so in writing and upon the Chairperson acceding to the said request.

(2) Upon the Respondent being found guilty, information may be disseminated regarding the justice secured to any victim of sexual harassment under these Regulations without disclosing the name, address, identity or any other particulars calculated to lead to the identification of the aggrieved woman and witnesses.

17. Protection of action taken in good faith:- No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall lie against the members of the Committee in respect of anything which is done or intended to be done in good faith in pursuance of these Regulations, and the circulars/orders/notifications issued thereunder.

18. Allocation of funds:- The GSICC may, subject to the availability of financial and other resources allocate and provide suitable funds as may be prescribed.

(a) for the effective implementation of the present Regulations;

(b) for development of relevant information, education, communication and training materials, for the organization of awareness programmes, and for advancement of the understanding to the public about the provisions of these Regulations; or

(c) for organizing orientation and training programmes for the members of the GSICC, committees, volunteers, counselors etc.,November 27, 2019] TELANGANA GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY 25

19. Regulations not in derogation of any other law:-

(1) The provisions of these Regulations shall be in addition to and not in derogation of the provisions of any other law for the time being in force.

(2) The provisions of the present Regulations shall not bar any Court from taking cognizance of any offence punishable under any other enactment or law.

The Prl. District and Sessions Judges, Presiding Officers of District Courts & Subordinate Courts, Director, Telangana State Judicial Academy and Member Secretary to Telangana State Legal Services Authority are the Chairpersons and they shall not be the member of the GSICC.

Sd/- Registrar General

Printed and Published by the Commissioner of Printing, Government of Telangana at Government Central Press, Chanchalguda, Hyderabad.

G-504/7.