PIL Seeking FIRs Based On #MeToo Allegations, Fast Track Courts For Sexual Harassment Cases, Dismissed By SC

The Supreme Court has rejected a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) urging it to direct the registration of First Information Report (FIRs) on the basis of multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment by women on social media, Live Law has reported.

The Supreme Court was approached under Article 32 by two advocates seeking that the Apex court takes suo moto action considering a large number of women coming forward with their allegations against high profile individuals on the #MeToo platform.

Advocate Manohar Lal Sharma asked for direction from the court “for taking suo moto action and steps to get records statement of the victim ladies (disclosing their pain upon #MeToo twitter platform) as information within the provision of Section 154 of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) to initiate register criminal cases or FIRs under sections 354,375,376 and other sections of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and to prosecute accused persons in accordance of law in the interest of justice (sic)”

The PIL also demanded the creation of fast-track trial courts to ensure the timely disposal of such cases of sexual harassment; Sharma also entreated the court that the National Commission of Women (NCW) be directed to create an anonymous portal for Women to file their complaints and treat #MeToo allegations as a practical source of information to initiate proceedings.

Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, who headed the three Judge bench which heard the Petition, remarked, “ So why (Article) 32? If there is a cognizable offence, there are provisions of the CrPC in that behalf.” Justice K.M Joseph, on the other hand, expressed doubt on whether the Supreme Court was the appropriate forum to demand action on #MeToo allegations.