The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a public interest litigation plea that wanted first information reports be filed on the basis of allegations of sexual misconduct and assault made by numerous women during the #MeToo movement, reported Live Law.
The petition by advocate Manohar Lal Sharma sought the court’s direction to law-enforcement agencies to take suo motu action on the matter, record the statements of complainants and register first information reports under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. Sharma also wanted fast-track courts to be set up to hear such cases and said the National Commission for Women should provide security to the women who have gone public with their allegations.
Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi said there are provisions in the Code of Criminal Procedure for action to be taken in cases where a cognisable offence has occurred but added that only complainants may bring the law into motion. Justice KM Joseph questioned whether the Supreme Court was the appropriate forum for cases in which action is not taken. The top court had refused an urgent hearing of Sharma’s petition on October 22.
Since October 5, dozens of women, including actors and journalists, have taken to social media to give detailed accounts of the sexual harassment and misconduct they have faced. The allegations have been raised by women from several sectors such as advertising, Tamil and Hindi film industries, the field of arts, music and dance, publishing, journalism, sports and even non-profit organisations. Bharatiya Janata Party leader MJ Akbar resigned as Union minister in October after several women journalists accused him of sexual harassment.
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