A former employee filed a criminal complaint against her company’s director, alleging sexual harassment under Section 354-A IPC. The allegation was based primarily on the director’s use of the expression “f*** off” during a heated email exchange concerning her medical leave and subsequent resignation. The Punjab & Haryana High Court held that although the remark was inappropriate and discourteous, it did not constitute a “sexually coloured remark” or otherwise satisfy the essential ingredients of sexual harassment under Section 354-A IPC. Observing that the dispute arose in the context of a workplace disagreement and lacked any sexual intent, overture, or demand for sexual favour, the Court quashed the FIR and all related criminal proceedings, while directing the petitioner to deposit ₹20,000 in a welfare fund.
Download the case law here – Offensive Language Alone Is Not Sexual Harassment: Punjab & Haryana HC (5 downloads )