Archive · 8 Aug 2025
Supreme Court: POSH Act Does Not Apply to Political Parties
The Supreme Court decided not to make political parties follow the POSH Act, which protects women from sexual harassment at work.
This law, established in 2013, outlines how to handle complaints and ensure safety in workplaces.
It requires companies to form groups to investigate these issues.
While the law applies widely, it's not clear if it fits political parties because of their structure.
A separate report also showed that women in the Malayalam film industry face similar problems, including fear of reporting harassment.
Supreme Court declined to extend the POSH Act to political parties.
The POSH Act, enacted in 2013, provides a framework for addressing sexual harassment in workplaces.
The Act mandates Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) for workplaces with 10+ employees.
The term "workplace" in the POSH Act is broad but its application to political parties is unclear.
The Justice Hema Committee report highlighted challenges faced by women in the Malayalam film industry, including sexual harassment and lack of support.
- Who
- The Supreme Court and various women's rights groups.
- What
- The Supreme Court refused to extend the application of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, or POSH Act, to political parties.
- When
- Recently, the Supreme Court made the decision.
- Where
- The Supreme Court of India.
- Why
- The court deemed the matter to be within the purview of the legislature or executive policy.
- Act Name
- Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act (POSH Act)
- Year Enacted
- 2013
- Key Requirement
- Establishment of Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs)
- Applicability
- Public and private workplaces
- Supreme Court Ruling
- Declined to extend POSH Act to political parties
- Related Case
- Vishaka Guidelines
