colleague-sexual-harassment-CaseIt is great that India seems to be finally waking up to the reality of workplace harassment women face in their daily lives.

The recent order by a Mumbai sessions court rejected the anticipatory bail pleas of a 42-yr-old asst manager and a 30-yr-old sales manager of a real estate company, who are now accused of sexually harassing a front office executive by telling a female colleague she had a good figure and asking her out.

The court observed that there were several aspects involved in the case and custodial interrogation of the accused is essential, observed Judge AZ Khan in two separate orders.

The woman complained to the police on April 24, and the two men were booked under Section 354 for outraging the modesty of a woman, Section 354A for sexual harassment, 354D for stalking, and 509 for word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman.

“Madam, aapne khudko bahut maintain rakha hai… aapka figure bahut achcha hai… kya ma’am, mere saath bahar jaane ke baare mein kuch socha ki nahin?” (Madam, you have maintained yourself… your figure is beautiful… have you thought about going out with me?) the woman was told.

After complaining at the office, the woman approached the police. Some are of the opinion that the woman is one of the lucky few or probably part of an emerging group who can openly talk of sexual harassment in the workplace, unlike women in the past who had to grin and bear it all to keep their job and progress in their career.

There’s also a section of netizens who are saying that it is unfair to take such trivial harmless issues to court and shame men in public. And even if the case is taken to the courts, denying bail is taking it too far.

Nevertheless, it is high time Indians realize where to draw the line as more young women enter the workforce.