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The judgement of the Supreme Court of India in the Vishakha Case pertains to
Explanation
The landmark judgment in Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan (1997) was delivered by the Supreme Court of India to address sexual harassment in the workplace [2]. The case arose following the gang rape of social worker Bhanwari Devi, which highlighted the lack of legal safeguards for women at their places of work [4]. Recognizing a legislative vacuum, the Court invoked Articles 14, 15, and 21 of the Constitution to establish the 'Vishaka Guidelines' [1]. These guidelines defined sexual harassment and mandated that employers in both public and private sectors create redressal mechanisms [1]. The judgment emphasized that gender equality includes protection from harassment and the right to work with dignity. These judicial norms remained in force until they were superseded by the enactment of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 [4].
Sources
- [1] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 90: Landmark Judgements and Their Impact > VISHAKA CASE (1997) > p. 633
- [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vishakha_and_Others_v._State_of_Rajasthan
- [4] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 90: Landmark Judgements and Their Impact > 634 ,g7 Indian Polity > p. 634