The Kerala High Court Advocates’ Association (KHCAA) has formed an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) to combat sexual harassment among women advocates. Established on January 21, 2025, the ICC aims to provide a platform for complaints and legal assistance despite KHCAA’s non-employer status under the POSH Act, prioritizing women’s safety and justice.
Kerala: In a progressive move to ensure a safe and inclusive work environment, the Kerala High Court Advocates’ Association (KHCAA) has established an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) to address cases of sexual harassment faced by women advocates.
The decision to constitute the ICC was taken during a General Body Meeting of the KHCAA on January 21, 2025. While the association does not legally qualify as an ’employer’ under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act), it voluntarily took this step to safeguard its women members.
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Recognizing the lack of a statutory redressal mechanism for female lawyers, KHCAA has established this dedicated platform for complaints, inquiries, legal assistance, and justice.
“As known to our esteemed members, KHCAA does not qualify as an ’employer’ under The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act) and there is no statutory requirement to have such a committee as regards our members. However, there are growing concerns of sexual harassment of women at workplaces and for our lady members, there is no other platform available to voice their concerns or grievances. Safety of our lady members is of paramount importance and hence, formation of an internal complaints committee is a step in the right direction for inquiring such incidents, rendering legal help to the complainants and ensuring justice,”
stated KHCAA Secretary M.R. Nandakumar in an official release.
The KHCAA has modeled its ICC in line with Section 4 of the POSH Act, ensuring a structured and transparent approach.
The committee will be headed by the Lady Vice President and will include:
- Two female members
- One male member from the Executive Committee
- A woman representative from an NGO or an organization dedicated to women’s rights (co-opted as required)
Current Composition of the KHCAA ICC
- Presiding Officer: Advocate Rema R.
- Members: Advocates K.A.M. Haris, Asha Treesa Jose, Reni James
- NGO Member: To be co-opted when required
“The structure of our internal complaints committee is akin to the one provided under Section 4 of the Act of 2013 and will be presided by the Lady Vice President and consist of two lady members and a male member of the Executive Committee. Apart from this, a lady member from an NGO or associations committed to the cause of women will be included as and when such complaints are received,”
the official release added.
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