Gender Sensitisation Committee lacks jurisdiction over ML Sharma, AP Singh for remarks outside court

The petition filed by Supreme Court Women Lawyers Association (SCWLA) seeking restrictions on advocates ML Sharma and AP Singh from entering Supreme Court premises was heard today by V Gopala Gowda and AK Goel JJ..Prerna Kumari represented the SCWLA while the Supreme Court, which is also a party to the case, was represented by Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra..The petitioner, besides seeking restrictions on the entry of the two lawyers, also prayed that a direction be issued to Gender Sensitisation and Sexual Harassment Committee of the Supreme Court to take action against the two, and to sensitize them towards the dignity and rights of women under Regulation 7(2) of the Gender Sensitization and Sexual Harassment of Women at the Supreme Court of India (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Regulations, 2013..In this context, Luthra submitted today that the Supreme Court Gender Sensitisation Committee does not have jurisdiction in the matter since the alleged acts of the two lawyers were outside the premises of the Supreme Court..The matter was adjourned after the court directed AP Singh to respond to the petition; ML Sharma had entered appearance earlier..The body of women lawyers of the Supreme Court had approached the Court under Article 32 after Sharma’s and Singh’s remarks in the BBC Documentary, India’s Daughter went viral. Both Sharma and Singh are advocates for the accused in the gruesome gang rape of the 2012..Contending violation of Articles 14 and 21, the petitioner association not only sought the debarment of the two lawyers, but also asked the Gender Sensitisation and Sexual Harassment Committee of the Supreme Court to take action, in addition to a public apology from both the lawyers..The Court had issued notice to Sharma and Singh on March 24, 2015.