Story perspectives

Supreme Court Orders Women-Led Panel to Probe Journalist Sexual Violence

By Drooid · Oct 15, 2026, 5:20 PM UTC · How we work

Center

Women-Led Vishakha Committee

On Oct. 15 2026, Supreme Court ordered a committee of women judges and IPS officers to probe sexual violence against women journalists during anti-SIR protests.
Senior advocate Indira Jaising petitioned the bench, urging a Vishakha-guided, women-led committee and a sealed list of confidential complaints.
The bench told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta not to coerce the journalist alleging police harassment.
Jaising also suggested the committee operate under Vishakha guidelines for workplace sexual harassment.

Right

Self Identification Threat

On Oct. 15, 2026, the Supreme Court announced a committee of women judges and IPS officers to probe sexual violence against women journalists anti-SIR protests.
The bench warned that unchecked self-identification could undermine order and noted police traced a social-media handle to Pakistan.
Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi ordered Delhi Police to complete probe within a deadline.
Government lawyer Tushar Mehta urged the journalist to cooperate with the investigation.

History

Historical Context

The Supreme Court’s August 1997 Vishakha v. State of Rajasthan ruling forced every employer to set up an Internal Complaints Committee with at least one woman, a model later codified in the 2013 POSH Act. On 15 Oct 2026, the Court, hearing activist Indira Jaising, ordered a panel of women judges and IPS officers, overseen by Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi, to ensure Delhi Police complies with those safeguards.

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Women-Led Vishakha Committee

On Oct. 15 2026, Supreme Court ordered a committee of women judges and IPS officers to probe sexual violence against women journalists during anti-SIR protests.
Senior advocate Indira Jaising petitioned the bench, urging a Vishakha-guided, women-led committee and a sealed list of confidential complaints.
The bench told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta not to coerce the journalist alleging police harassment.
Jaising also suggested the committee operate under Vishakha guidelines for workplace sexual harassment.

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