Abuse case: Hearing on DVAC officer’s appeal today

A division bench comprising Justice K K Sasidharan and Justice P D Audikesavalu before whom the appeal came up adjourned it to Wednesday.

The appeal was based on Justice S M Subramanian’s order which confirmed the constitution of Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) under Section 4 of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 by the Director of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption.

The single judge while clarifying that these proceedings can continue parallel with the criminal action initiated against the accused had ordered the submission of the report within two weeks.

The order was passed based on the plea moved by the aggrieved woman IPS officer seeking the transfer of the accused officer to any non-sensitive post outside the directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption pending enquiry into her complaint.

She had alleged in her complaint that the accused officer had called her numerous times after office hours and commented on her personal and physical attributes. She also alleged that the accused besides forcefully hugging her used to take her photos despite her objecting to it.

On the other hand, Murugan had approached the court challenging the constitution of ICC against him as well as the consequential proceedings. He had also challenged the registration of a criminal case against him by the CBCID wing of the police department stating that the complaint for registration of the FIR was forwarded by the ICC.

Incidentally, the single judge in his order had directed the installation of CCTV camera in his chamber while recommending it for offices of all higher Tamil Nadu Government officials to tackle sexual harassment at work places.