Mamta Lall v. The Chief Secretary And ORS

IN THE HIGH COURT AT CALCUTTA

[ CIRCUIT BENCH AT PORT BLAIR ] ...

WPA/199/2024 Mamta Lall Vs The Chief Secretary and others Ms. A.S.Zinu ... for the petitioners Mr. Shatadru Chakraborty Mr. Dibesh Dwivedi ... for the respondents April 2, 2024 [AKB] Item No.9 Learned counsel on behalf the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is serving as Junior Engineer (Electrical) presently posted at Directorate of Rural Development and completed her 22 years of service.

It is further submitted that one complaint was lodged by the petitioner with regard to incident alleged to have been happened on 16.02.2023 and pursuant to request of the petitioner a committee was formed by the authority in compliance with Section 11 of the Sexual Harassment of women at workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.

Learned advocate appearing on behalf of the petitioner submitted that though committees was constitute and notice was sent to the petitioner but no further proceeding is being done by the committee.

Accordingly this writ application has been filed with a prayer for necessary direction to conclude the inquiry within a time frame. On query, learned advocate appearing on behalf of the official respondents has submitted that the inquiry initiated on and from 13.09.2023.

The committee is required to conclude the inquiry within three months from the date of its initiation within the meaning of Section 11 of the Act.

Learned advocate appearing on behalf of the official respondents has submitted that further one/two months is required to conclude the inquiry.

In the given facts and circumstances of the case and also keeping in mind the provisions of Section 11 of the Act,

committee constituted at Directorate of Rural Development, is directed to conclude the inquiry within four weeks from date.

With the above said observation this writ petition is disposed of.

(Bibhas Ranjan De, J.)