Between The Lines....July 2018

I. SEXUAL HARASSMENT CASE: DELHI HIGH COURT DIRECTS RECONSTITUTION OF INTERNAL COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE AS PER LAW AND SETS ASIDE INQUIRY REPORT

A division bench of the Delhi High Court in the matter of Ruchika Singh Chhabra v. M/s. Air France India and Another (decided on May 30, 2018) made certain stern observations in an alleged sexual harassment case. The Court made certain important remarks and noted that the employer, courts and the society as a whole are duty bound to root out the wholly unwholesome behavior of sexual harassment at workplaces.

Facts

The appellant, former commercial assistant with the first respondent ("Air France India") alleged sexual harassment by one employee currently serving as Managing Director of Air France India ("Employee"). The appellant averred that the Employee harassed her on various occasions, giving account of incidents alleging repeated sexual advances by the Employee despite express refusal by her. The appellant's case was