Gender Sensitisation & Sexual Harassment Regulations, 2026 – High Court of Kerala

Published March 10, 2026

The Gender Sensitisation & Sexual Harassment of Women at the High Court of Kerala (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Regulations, 2026

High Court of Kerala Notification No. DI-1/72383/2013 | Enforcement Date: March 23, 2026

Reg. No.	Regulation Title & Chapter Particulars	Action
Chapter 1: Preliminary
Reg. 1	Short title, extent and commencement Establishes the official name and commencement date (March 23, 2026) for the High Court of Kerala Gender Sensitisation Regulations.
Reg. 2	Definitions Comprehensive legal definitions outlining the scope of ‘aggrieved woman’, ‘High Court precincts’, and ‘sexual harassment’ within court premises.
Reg. 3	Prevention of sexual harassment Absolute statutory prohibition against any form of sexual harassment within the High Court premises.
Chapter 2: Composition & Constitution of GSICC
Reg. 4	Constitution of the Gender Sensitisation & Internal Complaints Committee Mandates a 7–13 member committee headed by a High Court Judge with mandatory female majority representation.
Reg. 5	Term of Gender Sensitisation & Internal Complaints Committee members Members serve 2-year terms with a maximum tenure of two consecutive terms (4 years total).
Reg. 6	Meetings of The Gender Sensitisation & Internal Complaints Committee Sets quarterly meeting mandates, quorum rules (1/3 for general, 2/3 for inquiry reports), and strict attendance rules.
Reg. 7	Functions of the Gender Sensitisation & Internal Complaints Committee Outlines preventive, educational, crisis mediation, and complaint redressal duties of the GSICC.
Chapter 3: Complaint & Inquiry into Complaint
Reg. 8	Complaint of Sexual Harassment Establishes a 3-month limitation period (extendable to 6 months) for submitting complaints in writing.
Reg. 9	Inquiry into complaint Requires a 3-member Sub-Committee to complete formal inquiry and record evidence within 90 days.
Reg. 10	Inquiry Report Defines timeline for report submission (10 days to GSICC, 15 days to Chief Justice) and serving copies to parties.
Reg. 11	Representation Provides parties a 15-day window to file objections directly before the Chief Justice.
Reg. 12	Passing of Orders Empowers Chief Justice to order punishments ranging from admonition and court debarment (up to 1 yr) to criminal prosecution.
Reg. 13	Interim Measures Protects complainant during trial with binding interim orders; non-compliance leads to striking off defence.
Reg. 14	Delegation of powers Allows delegation of hearing and interim order powers to nominated High Court Judges.
Chapter 4: Powers & Duties
Reg. 15	Powers of GSICC & Internal Sub-Committee Vests Civil Court powers (summoning witnesses, calling for documents) in the GSICC during inquiries.
Reg. 16	Duties Imposes affirmative duties on court administration for safety display, regular training, and criminal complaint initiation.
Chapter 5: Miscellaneous
Reg. 17	Confidentiality Strict statutory protection of victim identity; breach attracts disciplinary/legal action.
Reg. 18	Protection of action taken in good faith Legal immunity for committee members and Chief Justice for good-faith performance of duties.
Reg. 19	Action on malicious, false or frivolous complaint or false evidence Penalizes false/malicious complaints while protecting honest complainants unable to provide full proof.
Reg. 20	Allocation of funds Mandates official budget allocation for gender sensitisation programs and inquiry operations.
Reg. 21	Regulations not in derogation of any other law Clarifies that criminal or civil court proceedings under other laws remain fully operational.
Reg. 22	Complaints Involving Minors Directs transfer of juvenile complaints to Juvenile Justice Boards under the JJ Act, 2015.
Reg. 23	Overriding Effect Yields jurisdiction to the statutory Workplace POSH Act 2013 for matters directly covered under that Act.

CHAPTER 3: COMPLAINT & INQUIRY INTO COMPLAINT

Regulation 10. Inquiry Report

Statutory Provision Text

(1) On the completion of an inquiry under these Regulations, the Internal Sub-Committee shall provide the Inquiry Report with its findings along with the complete record of the inquiry proceedings, including the pleadings and all materials on record, to the GSICC within ten days from the date of completion of the inquiry. (2)The GSICC shall, within 15 days upon the receipt of the Inquiry Report and the records from the Internal Sub-Committee, formulate its recommendations on the same, and place it together with the Inquiry Report and the records before the Chief Justice. (3) A copy of the Inquiry Report along with the recommendations of the GSICC shall simultaneously be furnished to the parties concerned.

Key Takeaway & Legal Summary

Defines timeline for report submission (10 days to GSICC, 15 days to Chief Justice) and serving copies to parties.

Legal Commentaries & Practical Notes

No custom notes added yet for this regulation.