High Court’s Committee on POSH Act Conducts Sensitization Programme at Calcutta High Court Circuit Bench at Port Blair

Tarun Karthick

Sri Vijaya Puram, 08 November 2025

The Committee on the POSH Act, High Court at Calcutta, organized a sensitization programme on the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 on the Court Hall of the Calcutta High Court Circuit Bench, Port Blair, not too long ago.

The occasion started with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by Hon’ble Justice Shampa Sarkar, Judge, High Court at Calcutta and Chairperson, Committee on POSH Act, and Hon’ble Justice Ananya Bandyopadhyay, Judge, High Court at Calcutta. Several dignitaries attended the programme. Mr. Rashid Alam, Registrar, Circuit Bench of Calcutta High Court at Port Blair, delivered the welcome tackle.

Prominent audio system included Ms. Anjili Nag, Senior Advocate; Ms. Babita Das, Government Pleader; Ms. Zahida Bibi, Public Prosecutor, LCC; Ms. Shanti Murugeshan, Administrator, WHL; and Ms. Shweta Kishen, GTT.

The programme aimed to lift consciousness concerning the provisions of the POSH Act, 2013, amongst employers and workers in each private and non-private sectors, in addition to within the unorganized sector, together with members of the judiciary and employees of the High Court and District Courts.

Addressing the gathering, Hon’ble Justice Shampa Sarkar emphasised the rising participation of ladies within the workforce—now at about 37%—and the significance of making certain a protected, respectful office for all ladies. Justice Sarkar highlighted the necessity for sensitization to remove gender injustice and urged strict compliance with the Act’s provisions. Her Lordship additionally pressured the institution of devoted helplines, e mail IDs, and grievance containers, to be displayed prominently at each office.

Hon’ble Justice Ananya Bandyopadhyay, in her remarks, underscored the significance of steady consciousness and training. She instructed that employers put together pamphlets in regional languages explaining offences, penalties, and punishments underneath the POSH Act. Justice Bandyopadhyay additionally beneficial organizing common sensitization programmes and displaying key info inside workplace premises to make sure higher compliance and understanding.

Speakers on the programme elaborated on a number of essential points of the Act, together with the functioning of the Internal Committee (IC), the necessity for normal consciousness drives, creation of accessible grievance mechanisms, sustaining confidentiality, conducting time-bound inquiries, implementing inquiry-based actions, and defending complainants from retaliation. They additionally mentioned worker training, employer duties, penalties for non-compliance, and safeguards towards false complaints.