The Delhi High Court, on 03-06-2025, to further its commitment to ensuring gender equality and a harassment-free work environment, launched an online portal for complaints of sexual harassment of women at the workplace. The launch was attended by Justice N. Kotiswar Singh, Judge, Supreme Court of India; Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya Chief Justice, Delhi High Court; Justice Prathiba M. Singh, Judge, Delhi High Court and Chairperson, Internal Complaints Committee (‘ICC’);Justice Amit Bansil, Judge, Delhi High Court and Member ICC; Justice Tara Vitasta Ganju, Judge, Delhi High Court; N Hariharan, President, Delhi High Court Bar Association,;Rajesh Mishra, Bar Council of Delhi, other Judges of Delhi High Court and representatives from the Delhi High Court Bar Association (‘DHCBA’) and Bar Council of Delhi (‘BCD’).
Key Addresses and Insights
Justice Prathiba M. Singh, Judge, Delhi High Court and Chairperson, Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), delivered the welcome address, introducing the portal and outlining its genesis. She highlighted that the journey towards safer workplaces began with the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment in Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan, (1997) 6 SCC 241, 28 years ago, followed by the enactment of the POSH Act in 2013, and further propelled by the “Me Too” campaign in 2017. Justice Singh emphasised the significance of the Aureliano Fernandes judgment, authored by Justice Hima Kohli, which brought about second-generation reforms, including sensitization programs and the need for a dedicated portal.
Justice Singh noted the Delhi High Court’s decade-long commitment to a no-tolerance policy against sexual harassment, with its ICC functioning since March 2014. She underscored the unique composition of the current ICC, comprising six out of seven women members, reflecting the Court’s deep institutional commitment to gender equity. Recognizing a gap in addressing complaints against lawyers, the ICC collaborated with the DHCBA and BCD to establish their respective ICCs.
“The newly launched portal is an integrated platform designed to address the challenge faced by complainants in identifying the correct forum for their grievances. One who is facing sexual harassment or who has faced sexual harassment does not know where to go”, Justice Singh stated, explaining that the portal allows complainants to choose the appropriate ICC (Delhi High Court, DHCBA, or BCD) based on the respondent’s affiliation. This integration aims to provide a safe, secure, and confidential mechanism for filing complaints from the comfort of one’s home or office.
Justice Singh also touched upon the ICC’s efforts in expedited disposal of ICC complaints, protection of privacy and timely resolution, and leveraging technological innovation for evidence authentication. She stressed the importance of POSH sensitization, noting that such initiatives have led to lesser filing of complaints by fostering greater awareness and sensitivity among colleagues. She also revealed that a subcommittee had drafted guidelines for uniform and expedited complaint resolution, soon to be uploaded. Highlighting the importance of mediation and conciliation, she suggested that these statutory provisions be utilized more often to resolve ego issues that colleagues may have with each other that might escalate into sexual harassment complaints. Finally, Justice Singh expressed her belief that while the portal is a small step, it could be a giant step towards sexual harassment dealing with sexual harassment, ensuring a safe, inclusive, and dignified workplace for all, especially for women.
Justice Tara Vitasta Ganju, Judge, Delhi High Court, provided a demonstration of the portal’s functionality. She explained that the portal is integrated with the website of the Delhi High Court, with a direct link available on the homepage. Upon clicking, users are presented with three tabs: Staff of Delhi High Court, contractual and regular, Delhi High Court Bar Association, and Bar Council of Delhi. The selection of the link is determined by the respondent’s affiliation. She further stated that the Bar Council of Delhi’s portal is named “Tejasvi”.
N. Hariharan, Senior Advocate and President, Delhi High Court Bar Association, emphasised that “gender justice is not just a principle. It is a constitutional mandate”. He recalled the Vishaka (Supra) as a foundational legal intervention that “filled a legislative vacuum” and led to the POSH Act. He asserted that sexual harassment is “not just a violation of personal dignity. It strikes at the foundation of equality and trust”. He highlighted the legal community’s special responsibility to ensure that “every woman, whether an advocate, a court staff member or any stakeholder feels protected, heard and empowered”.
He described the portal as “far more than unveiling of a technological tool, rather a deep moral step, a structural affirmation that voices of women must be heard, believed and acted upon with urgency and fairness”. He acknowledged that historically, complaints have gone unspoken because the systems meant to protect them have felt inaccessible, opaque, or ineffective, but with the launch of the portal, the situation will change. He pledged the DHCBA’s full support to this initiative, committing to awareness, cooperation, and accountability to ensure that this is not just a portal but a promise.
Rajesh Mishra, Bar Council of Delhi, echoed the sentiments of his predecessors, expressing pride in the launch of Tejasvi, the online portal established by the Bar Council of Delhi under the ICC’s guidance. He stated that the portal provides a confidential, structured, and fair mechanism for addressing sexual harassment complaints by women in the workplace. He reiterated the Bar Council’s commitment to foster a safe, dignified, and harassment-free work environment for all its female lawyers and staff, expressing gratitude to Justice Prathiba M. Singh for her initiative, converting the dream of having an ICC committee into a reality.
Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, Chief Justice, High Court of Delhi, commended the Delhi High Court for its initiative. He reflected on the Vishaka (Supra), noting it as a finest example where need of the hour impels us the judiciary even to enter the arena of legislation. He pointed out that while the POSH Act provides a comprehensive scheme for redressal, the aspects of prevention and prohibition are often overlooked.
He proposed a shift in the popular slogan “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” to “Beti Bachao, Beta Padhao”, emphasizing that the sons need to be sensitized more perhaps. He highlighted the society’s denial mode regarding sexual harassment and stressed the importance of breaking this through sensitization programs, citing the Delhi High Court’s success in sensitizing over 900 judicial officers and staff. He also underscored the significance of conciliation under Section 10 of the POSH Act, suggesting it be attempted before formal inquiries, especially when complaints might stem from lack of proper understanding. He praised the portal’s integrated nature, stating that irrespective of the forum where the complaint is to be made, anyone associated with the working of the court can go to this portal and complaint and they will automatically be directed to the correct platform, thereby making access to secrecy under this act easier to the complainants.
Justice N. Kotiswar Singh, Judge, Supreme Court of India, praised the portal’s launch as a very important step that enhances confidentiality and confidence in the people, apart from transparency. He reiterated the transformative role of the Vishaka (Supra) in Indian jurisprudence. He emphasised that a workplace should be a place of opportunity and accomplishments, and creativity, not a place that generates fear and anxiety. He stressed that sexual harassment is a grievous act that demeans women and acts as a barrier to their creativity and is completely antithetical to the enabling principles of equality, liberty, and justice, which form the core values of our constitution.
He highlighted the increasing participation of women in all walks of life, particularly in the judiciary and legal profession, making it incumbent on all of us to ensure that the workplace remains safe, secure, encouraging, and not plagued by these insidious practices. He acknowledged the misogynistic, patriarchal, and male chauvinistic ideas that still prevail and contribute to sexual harassment, stating that these have to be tackled head-on. He noted that while the POSH Act is discussed nationwide, its implementation varies, with very few high courts that have constituted ICC and actively engaged in the redressal of complaints. He urged those at the helm of affairs to genuinely believe in the efficacy of the system and to build confidence among victims.
Justice Singh also addressed the deep-rooted cultural resistance to acknowledging certain acts as sexual harassment and the stigma that the complainants endure. He stressed the need for men to understand what makes a female counterpart uncomfortable and to extend an empathetic attitude. He concluded by acknowledging the potential for misuse of such laws but emphasised that the benefits of providing a confidential and accessible platform far outweigh these concerns. He expressed confidence that Delhi, as the capital, is uniquely placed to act as a beacon as a shining example, and to lead other parts of the country.
Justice Amit Bansal, Justice Delhi High Court, in his vote of thanks stated that the portal is more than a procedural development, and would provide a safe, secure and confidential medium for filing complaints under the POSH Act, and will act as a commitment that every voice will be heard and every concern will be addressed with sensitivity and seriousness.
Conclusion
The launch of the online portal by the Delhi High Court marks a significant step forward in promoting a safer, more inclusive workplace for women in the judiciary and legal profession. By providing a streamlined, confidential, and secure mechanism for filing complaints of sexual harassment, this initiative not only reflects the Court’s commitment to gender equality but also aligns with the principles laid down in landmark rulings like Vishaka case (supra) and the POSH Act 2013. The integrated platform ensures that complaints are directed to the correct forum, improving accessibility, efficiency, and transparency in the grievance redressal process. The initiative also highlights the Court’s ongoing efforts to foster a culture of respect, awareness, and accountability, making it an exemplar for other institutions to follow. With the support of the Internal Complaints Committee and legal community partners, this platform holds the potential to empower women, encourage a no-tolerance approach to harassment, and drive meaningful change in the workplace.
