IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED:12.11.2009 CORAM: THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE S.J.MUKHOPADHAYA AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE R.SUDHAKAR W.P.Nos.4457 and 4458 of 2000 and W.P.M.P.Nos.6839 and 6840 of 2000 National Federation of Indian Women, Chennai District Committee rep. By its President Mrs.K.Santhakumari No.19, Chevalier Shivaji Ganesan Salai, T.Nagar, Chennai-17. ... Petitioner in both WPs. Vs. 1. The Principal, Dr. Ambedkar Government Law College, Chennai – 600 104. 2. The Chairperson, National Commission for Women, No.4, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg, New Delhi – 100 002. ... Respondents in both WPs. Prayer in W.P.No.4457 of 2000: Writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a writ of Mandamus directing the 1st respondent to forthwith constitute a Women Cell with independent individuals and representatives of women students and such others as this Hon'ble Court may think fit in order to deal with and prevent sexual harassment of women students in Dr. Ambedkar Government Law College, Chennai. Prayer in W.P.No.4458 of 2000: Writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to constitute an enquiry committee consisting of such independent persons as may be thought fit by this Hon'ble Court in the place of present Committee, constituted by the https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/ first respondent hold an enquiry into the allegations about institutionalised eve-teasing in Dr. Ambedkar Government Law College, Chennai as contained in the representation dated 5.10.1999 of women students made to the second respondent and forwarded to the first respondent. For Petitioner : Mr.P.K.Rajagopal For Respondents : Mr.D.Sreenivasan Additional Government Pleader COMMON ORDER (Order of the Court was made by R.SUDHAKAR ) The above two writ petitions have been preferred in public interest in the year 2000, by the Federation. 2. The reason for filing the writ petitions is relatable to an incident which happened in the first respondent college. It relates to a complaint of eve teasing in the first respondent Institution and the allegation is that the representation given to the Principal was not properly considered and therefore, the two writ petitions have been filed viz., (i) to constitute a Women Cell with independent individuals and representatives of women students to deal with and prevent sexual harassment of women students in the first respondent college and (ii) to constitute an enquiry committee consisting of such independent persons as may be thought fit by this Court in the place of present Committee, constituted by the first respondent to hold an enquiry into the allegations about institutionalised eve-teasing in the first respondent College, as contained in the representation dated 5.10.1999 of women students made to the second respondent and forwarded to the first respondent. 3. At the time when the matters were taken up for final hearing, learned Additional Government Pleader pointed out that the State Government, considering the representation of women forum and to curb similar incidents, enacted the act viz., Tamil Nadu Prohibition of (Harassment of Women Act) 1998. If suitable action is taken under this act, the petitioner cannot have any grievance. 4. In view of the same, the Principal of the first respondent college is directed to take appropriate remedial steps in consonance with the provision of the act to avoid such incidents in future. A direction to this effect will be sufficient for the present. https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/ 5. The writ petitions stand disposed of with the above observations. However, there shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, W.P.M.P.Nos.6839 and 6840 of 2000 are also closed. Sd/ Asst.Registrar /true copy/ Sub Asst.Registrar VJY To 1. The Principal, Dr. Ambedkar Government Law College, Chennai – 600 104. 2. The Chairperson, National Commission for Women, No.4, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg, New Delhi – 100 002. + 2 cc to Mr.P.K.Rajagopal, Advocate, SR 61232 & 61233 + 1 cc to The Govt. Pleader SR 60754 W.P.NOs.4457 and 4458 of 2000 and connected WMPs. RJ (CO) RH (24.11.09) https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/