Sunday, June 24, 2012

HC notice to Methodist Church against sexual harassment

Ahmedabad:?

The Gujarat high court has issued notice to four office-bearers of Methodist Church in a case relating to suicide by a woman following alleged sexual harassment at work place.

Justice H R Shukla sought explanation from the Church?s office bearers and concerned police officials of Kheda district on the issue.

The matter has been posted for hearing on July 20.

According to the petition, one Violet Dabhi, who was working as a superintendent at 'Village Centre for Boys' hostel and orphanage at Kathlal, committed suicide April 18.

Her father, Samuel Dabhi, stated that Violet took the extreme step after after she was harassed by management and colleagues and also sexually assaulted.

Dabhi's counsel Rajesh Shah submitted before the court that the church authorities looked disinterested, and hence for justice his client had to go to police and human rights authorities.

While police took Dhabi?s complaint , no FIR (first information report) was registered.

Dabhi moved the High Court seeking directions that FIR be registered against all those erring colleagues and the circumstances be probed that had led Violet to commit suicide.

He has requested the court to order an inquiry as per Vishakha guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court regarding sexual harassment at workplace.

Advocate Shah told the court that a committee was set up to look into the case, but it did not inspire confidence.

He argued that the Methodist Church is a minority institute, but it has to be governed by the law of the land, and it should be made to follow the Vishakha guidelines.

Vishaka guidelines were issued by the Supreme Court in the Bhanwari Devi rape case in 1997, creating norms pending a law against sexual harassment at work place.

Source: Times of India

nc state erika van pelt pat robertson hunger games trailer hunger games trailer in plain sight hunger games movie review

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.