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The Complaints Committee has the right to end the inquiry. If either the victim or the accused is absent for three hearings in a row, the committee can make a decision on its own and give an order. This can be done only if it has given a 15-day notice to both the victim and the accused in writing.

Forming an Internal Complaints Committee

Last updated on Feb 28, 2026

Workplaces with more than 10 employees are required to set up a committee that specifically handles cases of Sexual Harassment. This is known as the Internal Committee. It must have1:

  •  A presiding officer, who is a woman employed at a senior level
  •  Three students, if the matter involves students
  •  One member from a non-government organisation or association committed to the cause of women, or a person familiar with sexual harassment issues. This member will be paid.
  •  Women as at least half of its members
  •  No person in senior administrative positions as a member such as Vice-chancellor, Registrar, Dean, or head of department
  •  A three-year term for members. Higher education institutions may also employ a system where one-third of the members change every year.

If the presiding officer acts in violation of their powers, they will be removed and a new nomination will take place2

The Internal Committee has to follow the regulations for taking complaints and making inquiries in a reasonable amount of time. The company or institution has to give the Internal Complaints Committee the things they need to make inquiries.

  1. Section 4(2), Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. [↩]
  2. Section 4(5), Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. [↩]

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