HC turns into PIL plea for Vishaka norms in aviation sector

Delhi High Court today converted into a PIL the plea of a Sri Lankan Airline employee alleging that the central and city governments have failed to implement Vishaka guidelines to deal with cases of sexual harassment against women in the aviation industry.
Justice Valmiki J Mehta turned the matter into a PIL saying the prayers in the petition regarding implementation of the provisions to deal with sexual harassment at workplace are of a public nature and transferred it to the Chief Justice who would list it before the appropriate bench on March 18.
The court passed the order after also observing that the issues relating to the "personal rights" of the petitioner employee have been dealt with by a committee.

The order came on the plea of an Indian woman, employed with Sri Lankan Airlines, against the Ministries of Civil Aviation and Women and Child Development as well as Delhi government, the airline and its official against whom she levelled allegations of sexual harassment.
The petition had also alleged that Vishaka guidelines have not been implemented by Sri Lankan Airlines Ltd or by Delhi government which should have constituted a local committee to hear plaints of sexual harassment at workplaces.
Meanwhile, Delhi government informed the court that it has issued letters to all its departments to replace the departmental complaint committees with internal complaint committees as per the Sexual Harassment of Women at Work Place (Prevention, Prohibition and redressal) Act.

It also said that a communication has been sent to Civil Aviation Ministry to direct all airlines operating from here to constitute internal complaints committee as per the Act.
The central government, represented by advocate Anil Soni, informed the court that six airlines which fell under their jurisdiction were complying Vishaka guidelines and the Act. A compliance report from AirAsia India is awaited, he said.