Supreme Court Rejects Plea to Include Political Parties Under POSH Act
The Supreme Court dismissed a petition seeking to include registered political parties under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act. The court feared misuse as political parties do not have employee-employer relationships. The appeal opposed a Kerala High Court decision stating political parties aren't required to form complaint committees.
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The Supreme Court has turned down a plea to bring registered political parties under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013.
This 2013 Act is designed to protect women from sexual harassment in the workplace and ensure a safe environment. However, applying it to political parties would, according to the bench, open up opportunities for blackmail without an employment relationship.
The decision came in response to an appeal against a Kerala High Court ruling that stated political parties need not establish internal complaint committees in the absence of an employer-employee relationship. The petitioner argued that political parties, except the CPM, lacked these committees despite female participation.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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