A law recognising sexual offences made verbally or through gestures as instances of sexual harassment will soon be introduced by the government here to check abuse at workplaces. The Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare has prepared the Bill to be forwarded to the cabinet next week for approval, officials said.
As per the bill any offence made at workplace with sexual intention through any medium either verbal or written, and even through gestures will be taken as an instance of sexual harassment.
"If an employee is found guilty of committing sexual offence, then he or she will be liable to a jail term for a maximum of three months or a fine Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000, as per the nature of the crime," said a senior official at the ministry.
The victim must lodge a complaint at the District Administration Office within 90 days of the incident, the official said, adding, "Sexual harassment is prevalent in the society due to the lack of clear policy and legal mechanism.