For many years, organizations have included a standard declaration in their annual Board Reports stating that they comply with the provisions of the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act, 2013. While this statement fulfilled a reporting convention, it often provided little insight into how the organization was actually implementing its statutory obligations. Today, that expectation has changed. As corporate governance standards continue to evolve, regulators are placing greater emphasis...

The National Commission for Women (NCW), through its advisory dated 19 June 2026, has called upon all States and Union Territories to encourage annual POSH audits for establishments employing ten or more persons. The advisory reflects a significant shift in the way workplace safety under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act) is expected to be approached. Rather than viewing compliance as a one-time statutory obligation, the...

The June 2026 Bombay High Court ruling in Siddhesh Pradeep Satpute v. State Bank of India & Ors.) draws a sharp, non-negotiable line between corporate governance and public criminal law. It serves as a vital reminder for Internal Committees (ICs): an organization's IC is not a public court of equity, nor is it a roaming disciplinary committee for society at large. When an absolute stranger accuses an employee of an organization, the IC must step back and examine its fundamental statutory...