विशाखा बनाम राजस्थान राज्य
| Citation | (1997) 6 SCC 241, AIR 1997 SC 3011 |
| Court | Supreme Court of India |
| Date | 13 August 1997 |
| Year | 1997 |
| Bench | J.S. Verma CJI, Sujata V. Manohar, B.N. Kirpal JJ. |
| Acts/Articles | Article 14, Article 15, Article 19(1)(g), Article 21 |
| Category | Constitutional Law, Women's Rights |
Key Principle Established
Sexual harassment at workplace defined and guidelines issued (Vishaka Guidelines). Right to work with dignity is a fundamental right under Articles 14, 19(1)(g), and 21.
A social worker in Rajasthan was gang-raped for attempting to prevent a child marriage. Women’s groups filed a PIL seeking enforcement of the fundamental right of working women to be protected from sexual harassment.
The Supreme Court laid down binding guidelines on sexual harassment at workplace:
The Vishaka Guidelines were binding law for 16 years until replaced by the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. This judgment demonstrated the Supreme Court’s power to fill legislative vacuums through judicial law-making. It remains the most cited women’s rights judgment in India.
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Read AnalysisThis judgment summary is for educational and research purposes. While care has been taken to accurately represent the ratio and findings, for authoritative reference always consult the original judgment text from official sources (SCC Online, AIR, Manupatra, or court websites).
22+ years of practice before Punjab & Haryana High Court and Supreme Court of India.