Chhattisgarh HC Disposes Teacher’s Sexual-Harassment Plea After Accused’s Transfer Is Recommended, Leaving Her Free To Seek Compensation After Inquiry

In brief

The question

Whether further directions were required on the petitioner’s prayers in light of the District Education Officer’s recommendation to transfer respondent No. 5.

The court held

The petition was disposed of without a decision on the merits.

It also directed

The petitioner was granted liberty to seek appropriate relief, including compensation, in accordance with law after completion of the enquiry.

01Facts

The petitioner, an Assistant Teacher (L.B.), sought implementation of the Local Committee’s recommendations dated 11 November 2025 under Section 13(3) of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, along with action against respondent No. 5, determination and recovery of compensation, and safeguards against adverse treatment.

p. 2 · ¶ 1

The State submitted that the District Education Officer had recommended respondent No. 5’s transfer in light of the allegations.

p. 3 · ¶ 2

The petitioner then chose not to press the petition at that stage, while seeking liberty to pursue appropriate remedies later.

p. 3 · ¶ 3

02Issues

i.Whether further directions were required on the petitioner’s prayers in light of the District Education Officer’s recommendation to transfer respondent No. 5.

p. 3 · ¶ 2, 4

ii.Whether the petitioner could retain liberty to seek appropriate relief, including compensation, after completion of the enquiry.

p. 3 · ¶ 3–4

03Law Applied

The petitioner invoked Section 13(3) of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, concerning action on a Local Committee’s recommendations, and Section 15 concerning compensation.

p. 2 · ¶ 1

The Court did not interpret or apply these provisions substantively; it made no finding on the merits and left the petitioner at liberty to seek appropriate relief in accordance with law after the enquiry.

p. 3 · ¶ 4–5

No precedent was cited.

Provisions in the judgment · 3 · Linked ones open on LawLens

Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 Section 6 Section 13 Section 15

04Reasoning

The Court noted the District Education Officer’s letter recommending respondent No. 5’s transfer and the petitioner’s decision not to press the petition at that stage.

p. 3 · ¶ 2–4

In those circumstances, it considered no further order necessary, while preserving the petitioner’s ability to seek appropriate relief, including compensation, after the enquiry. It expressly refrained from expressing any opinion on the merits.

p. 3 · ¶ 4–5