Maneka Gandhi: There should be no time limit on sexual harassment complaints

Sexual harassment complaints after years have kept every industry on tenterhooks — be it Bollywood, media or corporate sector. Union minister for Women and Child Development Minister, Maneka Gandhi has said that these complaints should be given importance even after 10-15 years after the incidents.

“You will always remember the person who did it, which is why we have written to the Law Ministry that complaints should be without any time limit,” Maneka Gandhi was quoted as saying by NDTV on Monday.

The Me Too campaign on sexual harassment has gained momentum in the recent years where women are coming in large numbers to share their experiences on social media. Social media is a great tool to reach out to public. “You can now complain 10-15 years later, doesn’t matter how much later. If you’re going to complain the avenue is still open,” she was quoted by the same website.

Reminding that “anger at sexual molestation never goes away”, Maneka Gandhi said she was happy that the Me Too campaign has kicked off. At the same time, she also hoped that “won’t go out of control in the sense that we target people who’ve offended us in some way.”

According to the current law, a case of sexual harassment or child abuse which can penalise one to three years of imprisonment, has to be reported within three years. Judiciary though may note of an older incident if it is in the “interest of justice” or if the “delay has been properly explained”.

The child development minister suggested that victims can be allowed to lodge complaints till the age of 30 as they may often face difficulty in lodging FIR at till the age of 18.

It may be recalled that only a few days ago, actor Tanushree Dutta had accused veteran actor Nana Patekar of harassing her on the sets of a film back in 2008. This actually opened the floodgates for complaints and counter complaints in Bollywood.

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