IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA CWP No. 10175/2023 Decided on: 12.03.2026 Deepanwita Halder ….Petitioner Versus State of H.P. …Respondent ……………………………………………………………………………. Coram Ms. Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua, Judge. Whether approved for reporting?1 For the petitioner: Ms. Srishti Chauhan, Advocate. For the respondents: Mr. L.N. Sharma, Additional Advocate General. Jyotsna Rewal Dua, J This writ petition has been filed for the grant of following substantive reliefs: - “(a) This Hon'ble Court be pleased to issue a writ/order in the nature of mandamus or any other appropriate writ/order directing the Respondent to notify the courts which are entitled to hear the appeals u/s 18 of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 ("Act"). (b) This Hon'ble Court be pleased to order Respondent to compensate the petitioner with Rs. 5,00,000/- (Rupees Five Lakhs 1 Whether reporters of the local papers may be allowed to see the judgment? yes 2 Only) for the mental, emotional and financial trauma faced by the petitioner due to non- of existence of the courts to hear the appeals u/s 18 of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 ("Act") and non- compliance of the act. (c) This Hon'ble Court be pleased award costs of the present writ petition that this Hon'ble Court deems fit to be granted. (d) This Hon'ble Court may be pleased to condone the period of limitation for filing of appeal by the petitioner under section 18 of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 ("Act").” 2. Respondents have filed the reply. As per the reply:- learned Industrial Tribunal-cum-Labour Court has been notified as Appellate Authority under Section 2(a) of the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946 under notification issued on 31.08.1978 (Annexure R-1); That the petitioner can prefer an appeal under Section 18 of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 and the Rules framed thereunder to the learned Industrial-cum-Labour Court against the recommendations of Internal Complaints Committee. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that in view of the information supplied by the respondents in their reply, the petitioner shall avail appropriate recourse for the redressal of her grievances. 4. Taking note of the aforesaid reply and the submissions made by learned counsel for the petitioner, the present petition is 3 disposed of. It shall be open for the petitioner to avail appropriate remedy before the competent forum for the redressal of her grievances. Pending miscellaneous application(s), if any, shall also stand disposed of. Jyotsna Rewal Dua Judge 12th March, 2026(rohit)