LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday directed the police to submit data on sexual harassment cases so far registered under sections 354 & 505 of Pakistan Penal Code.

Justice Jawadul Hassan issued the direction to the inspector general of police in a petition by a police official challenging his forced retirement for harassing a female colleague, also a relative.

The judge also directed the secretary prosecution and the prosecutor general to furnish the data on the cases and their current status.

The petitioner, Zahid Siddique Butt, pleaded that the Punjab ombudsperson unlawfully passed the order of forced retirement against him. He also questioned the jurisdiction to hear the complaint against him, saying that the alleged incident had not taken place at the workplace.

He asked the court to set aside the decision of the forced retirement passed by the ombudsperson.

Advocate Azhar Siddique, an amicus curie, told the court that there was a lack of awareness among the women with regard to their legal rights and process to lodge the cases of the sexual harassment.

Justice Hassan observed that the questions in the matter merited a comprehensive verdict. The judge adjourned hearing for a week.

The section 354 deals with the offence of assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty while section 509 deals with the word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2020