:1: IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL APPLICATION NO. 1558 OF 2006 Balasaheb Digambar Ghodake ...Applicant V/s The State of Maharashtra ...Respondent. -- None for the applicant. Ms. S.D. Shinde, APP for the State. ---- ALONG WITH CRIMINAL APPLICATION NO.1576 OF 2006 Smt. Sulochana Vishwanath Mistri ...Applicant. V/s State of Maharashtra ....Respondent. ---- Mr. V.D. Salunke for the applicant. Ms. S.D. Shinde, APP for the State. ---- ALONG WITH CRIMINAL APPLICATION NO. 1715 OF 2006 Shri Mukund Devappa Dudhagavkar ...Applicant. V/s State of Maharashtra ....Respondent. ---- None for the applicant. Ms. S. D. Shinde, APP for the State. CORAM: CORAM: CORAM: V.M. KANADE, J. V.M. KANADE, J. V.M. KANADE, J. DATE: DATE: DATE: 27th June, 2006 27th June, 2006 27th June, 2006 (In (In (In Chamber at 5.00 P.M.) Chamber at 5.00 P.M.) Chamber at 5.00 P.M.) :2: P.C. 1. The learned APP appearing on behalf of the State has submitted that pursuant to the order which is passed by this Court, the Government has appointed Smt. Harsha Deshmukh, District Women and Child Development Officer, Osmanabad in the Inspection Committee to make an inquiry and one other lady Magistrate is going to be appointed after obtaining requisite direction from the Law and Judiciary Department. After the said appointment is made, a detailed inquiry would be made in that behalf. 2. The learned APP has submitted a letter dated 27th June, 2006 which has been issued by the Under Secretary S.P. Vare. This letter is taken on record. In view of this letter, I am satisfied that necessary steps are being taken to make inquiry in respect of all homes which are maintained by the Government for destitute women. 3. It may be mentioned here that the Government of Maharashtra had published Rules for the Management of Institution established under the Social and Moral Hygiene and After-Care Programme vide Resolution dated 26th February, 1973. After perusing these Rules, it appears that adequate safeguards have not been :3: incorporated for the purpose of redressing the grievances of the women against sexual harassment by male members of the staff. Considering the allegations which are made in the present complaint, it is essential that these Rules may be reconsidered and suitable amendment may be made to ensure that the destitute women who are residing in these protection homes which are maintained by the Government, get adequate protection and there is proper forum for redressal of their grievances. 4. I hope and trust that the Government seriously considers the suggestion which is made by this court for taking appropriate steps to provide adequate safeguards to the women residing in destitute homes by amending the Rules published vide Resolution No.SNh-1065/24980-N dated 26th February 1973. 5. I must express my deep sense of gratitude to Mrs. S.D. Shinde, the Assistant Government Pleader for assisting this Court in this matter. 6. Applications are accordingly disposed of. (V.M. (V.M. (V.M. KANADE, J.) KANADE, J.) KANADE, J.)