PoSH Law India Update - June '25 Edition

Dive into the key ruling and legal updates in the June '25 edition of PoSH Law India update.

1. The Central government launched the Gender Budgeting Knowledge Hub, a digital platform designed to promote gender-responsive planning and budgeting across India. The platform aims to support ministries and states in integrating gender perspectives into policymaking, enhancing accountability, and fostering inclusive development. Read more about it here.

   
   

2. In Beyline Das v. Bar Council of Kerala, the Kerala High Court directed the Bar Council to respond to a petition by advocate Beyline Das challenging his suspension over allegations of assaulting a junior woman lawyer. Das argued that the Bar Council lacked legal authority to act after its tenure ended, and that it had no power to issue an interim suspension without following due process under Section 35 of the Advocates Act. He claimed the order violated his constitutional rights and sought permission to resume practice pending completion of the criminal proceedings.

   
   

3. In Navas A @ Paichira Navas v. State of Kerala and connected cases, the Kerala High Court was informed that all 35 sexual harassment cases arising from the Justice Hema Committee Report on the Malayalam film industry had been dropped. The State submitted that none of the victims came forward to give statements despite support offered. The Court acknowledged the decision not to compel testimony. The Bench also inquired about proposed legislation to address industry issues, with the Advocate General assuring that a draft law would be finalized after consultations at an upcoming film conclave in August 2025.

   
   

4. The Companies (Accounts) Second Amendment Rules, 2025, have significantly impacted India's corporate financial reporting and governance landscape. Effective from July 14, 2025, these amendments aim to enhance corporate transparency, accountability, and the integrity of financial data in an increasingly digital economy. A significant change is that companies must share more specific information in their Board’s Report, especially about sexual harassment complaints made under the PoSH Act. The disclosures include number of sexual harassment complaints received, number of complaints resolved, number of cases pending for over 90 days.

   
   

5. In Sanjay Rathore v. State (Govt. of NCT Delhi), the Supreme Court refused to reduce the 18-month imprisonment of a lawyer convicted for abusing a woman judge during court proceedings. Emphasising the importance of safe working conditions for women judicial officers, the Court said leniency would undermine judicial dignity. Despite pleas citing mitigating factors, the Court upheld the concurrent sentence while granting two weeks to surrender. The case was seen as an attack on judicial decorum and gendered dignity.