Name of the Case : Vishaka vs. State of Rajasthan
Year of Judgement : 1997
Popular Name : -
Related Topic/ Issue : Sexual harassment of women at workplace
Related Article/ Schedule : 15 & 21
Supreme Court Judgement:
- Declared sexual harassment of women at the workplace a violation of Articles 15 and 21.
- Asserted the responsibility of employers and other authorities in workplaces to prevent such harassment.
- Issued detailed guidelines to be strictly adhered to by all employees, both in public and private institutions, until appropriate legislation is enacted.
Impact of the Judgement:
- Filled a legislative gap by establishing guidelines known as the 'Vishaka Guidelines' to address sexual harassment at the workplace.
- Prior to this judgement, there was no domestic law specifically addressing this issue apart from a few provisions in the Indian Penal Code.
- The judgement prompted the enactment of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013, providing legal protection against sexual harassment and a framework for addressing complaints.
