The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) has issued notice to the Delhi Police and DGCA seeking more details about the recent sexual harassment case that took place onboard on a SpiceJet flight enroute from Delhi to Mumbai on 16th of August. A video has also gone viral of the incident in which it can be seen that a male passenger allegedly took objectionable videos and photos of a female flight attendant and a female co-passenger. It should also be noted that when the airline's crew checked the phone of the alleged person objectionable pictures of both the women flight attendant and co-passenger were found.
The DCW has asked the DGCA and SpiceJet if the matter has been referred to the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) as mandated by the POSH Act 2013, or any other committee constituted to address such grievances. The commission has also asked for more details on actions taken against the offender. The DCW has directed both the DGCA and the Delhi police to submit their reports by August 23rd.
DCW chairperson Swati Maliwal said "Complaints of sexual harassment on flights are on the rise. This is unacceptable. In this particular case, an FIR should be registered, and the matter should be thoroughly investigated and the guilty must be punished. The DGCA must have a zero-tolerance policy against sexual harassment on flights and take stringent action to prevent such incidents in the future."
The Delhi Commission of Women (DCW) has sent recommendations to the DGCA to prevent sexual harassment on women crew members and passengers. The recommendations include action against intoxicated passengers, including preventing such people from boarding the aircraft, and limiting alcohol intake on flights.
It should be taken into notice that every organization with more than ten employees should have an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) as mandated by the Prevention Of Sexual Harrasment At Workplace (POSH) Act 2013, to look after cases of sexual harassment at workplace and to ensure a safe and secure workplace for its employees. Failing to comply with this law can lead to severe penalties.
Comments