Shivhar, Bihar: A significant judicial meeting was held in Shivhar to ensure the safety of women at workplaces, following directives from the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) New Delhi and the Bihar State Legal Services Authority Patna. The meeting took place on Wednesday at the Alternative Dispute Resolution Building in Shivhar, presided over by Principal District and Sessions Judge and Chairman of the District Legal Services Authority, Sanjay Agarwal.

The primary objective of the meeting was to ensure the safety, respect, and dignity of women in the workplace. Emphasis was placed on sensitizing all personnel about the legal provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.

Discussions covered the effective implementation of the Act, the roles and responsibilities of the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), the complaint filing process, and the fair and timely redressal of grievances. Principal District and Sessions Judge Sanjay Agarwal underscored that respectful behavior towards women at work, maintaining confidentiality of complaints, and protecting the rights of complainants are collective responsibilities. He also stressed the need for regular awareness and training programs regarding the Act.

All judicial officers and staff of the judiciary were present at the event. Key attendees included Nandini Suman (Judicial Magistrate First Class and Principal Magistrate, Juvenile Justice Board), who chairs the Internal Complaints Committee; Shikha Sharma (Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate), a committee member; Lalan Kumar Rajak (Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate and Secretary, District Legal Services Authority); Amir Ali (Judicial Magistrate First Class); and advocate Sita Kumari as an external member.