The Supreme Court's sexual harassment committee has explained how sexual harassment complaints against practising lawyers and court staff should be made in future.

The committee, which does not currently have the power to investigate complaints against judges of the Supreme Court, released a circular dated 14 February, specifying that complaints should be sent to committee-member and registrar Gupta Rachna by post, email or in person in confidence.

The panel was instituted in November 2013, after a complaint was made by a former intern of ex-Supreme Court Justice AK Ganguly, and had received two complaints within two weeks of setting up.

A PIL by a former law student intern of ex-Supreme Court Justice Swatanter Kumar, alleging that he had sexually harassed her, seeks to make the Supreme Court's also consider hearing complaints made against judges. Ganguly and Kumar have denied the charges, with the latter having launched a defamation suit against the intern and three media companies.

The committee's circular states:

It is hereby informed that on 9.12.2013 the first meeting of Supreme Court Gender Sensitization and internal Complaints Committee (GSICC) headed by Hon'ble Mrs. Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai was held in the Supreme Court's premises to workout the modalities for the effective implementation of the "The Gender Sensitisation and Sexual Harassment of Women at the Supreme Court of India (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Regulations, 2013" and to take decision on related issues.

The aggrieved women as defined in clause 2(a) of the Gender Sensitisation and Sexual Harassment of Women at the Supreme Court of India (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Regulations, 2013 may make a complaint in writing of sexual harassment at Supreme Court of India precincts to the GSICC through its Member Secretary - Ms. Rachna Gupta, Registrar. The contact details are:-

Room No.: First Floor (East wing), near Cash & Account-I Registry of Supreme Court of India
Phone No.: 011- 23381581
E-mail:

The Complaint shall be sent either by registered post, courier, speed post or e-mail. It can also be handed over personally at the above said address.

As required by Regulation 16 of the Gender Sensitisation and Sexual Harassment of Womeri.at the Supreme Court of India (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Regulations, 2013, the confidentiality of the inquiry proceedings shall be maintained.