**Executive Summary**
This document is a notification from the High Court of Judicature at Bombay, dated February 26, 2026, regarding amendments to the Gender Sensitization and Sexual Harassment of Women at the High Court of Bombay (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Regulations, 2014. The amendments, known as the 2026 Regulations, come into force on August 18, 2025. The key modification involves the inclusion of the "Circuit Bench at Kolhapur" in various clauses of the original regulations.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **General:**
* The regulations are called the "Gender Sensitization and Sexual Harassment of Women at the High Court of Bombay (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) (Amendment) Regulations, 2026."
* These regulations come into force from August 18th, 2025.
* **Amendments:**
* In multiple clauses of the 2014 Regulations (Rules 2(a), 2(k)(vi), 2(l), 2(m), 3, 4(1), 7(2)(i), 7(3)(i), 7(4), 8(1), 9(1)(a), 11(2)(a), and 15(a)), the phrase ", Circuit Bench at Kolhapur" is inserted. The precise insertion point varies slightly depending on the clause but generally involves placing the phrase in relation to references to other benches or the High Court of Bombay at Goa.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: High Court of Bombay Staff and Personnel, including those at the Aurangabad and Goa Benches**
* **Impact:** The regulations regarding gender sensitization and sexual harassment prevention, prohibition, and redressal are extended to the Circuit Bench at Kolhapur.
* **Action Required:** Familiarize themselves with the amended regulations and adhere to the updated procedures and guidelines.
**Stakeholder: Chief Justice and Judges of the High Court of Bombay**
* **Impact:** The Chief Justice and Judges of the High Court of Bombay are responsible for enforcing the regulations and ensuring compliance.
* **Action Required:** Ensure the regulations are properly implemented and enforced at the Circuit Bench at Kolhapur.
Key Entities Referenced
Gender Sensitization and Sexual Harassment of Women at the High Court of Bombay (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) (Amendment) Regulations, 2026: Regulations amending the existing policy on gender sensitization and sexual harassment at the High Court of Bombay.
High Court of Judicature at Bombay: The institution whose regulations are being amended.
Circuit Bench at Kolhapur: A regional branch of the High Court of Bombay, specifically mentioned in the amendment.
Gender Sensitization and Sexual Harassment of Women at the High Court of Bombay (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Regulations, 2014: The original regulations being amended by the 2026 regulations.
Constitution of India, Article 225: Article 225 of the Constitution of India empowers the High Court of Bombay.
RNI No. MAHBIL /2009/35527
महाराष्ट्र शासन राजपत्र
असाधारण भाग चार-क
वर्ष १२, अंक ८] शुक्रवार, फेब्रुवारी २७, २०२६/फाल्गुन ८, शके १९४७ [पृष्ठे २, किंमत: रुपये ९.००
असाधारण क्रमांक 22
प्राधिकृत प्रकाशन
महाराष्ट्र शासनाव्यतिरिक्त इतर वैधानिक प्राधिकाऱ्यांनी तयार केलेले
(भाग एक, एक-अ व एक-ल यांमध्ये प्रसिद्ध केलेले वैधानिक नियम व आदेश यांव्यतिरिक्त इतर)
वैधानिक नियम व आदेश; यात भारत सरकार, उच्च न्यायालय, पोलीस आयुक्त, आयुक्त (राज्य उत्पादन शुल्क),
जिल्हादंडाधिकारी व निवडणूक आयोग, निवडणूक न्यायाधिकरण, निवडणूक निर्णय अधिकारी व निवडणूक आयोगाखालील
इतर प्राधिकारी यांनी तयार केलेलेवैधानिक नियम व आदेश यांचा समावेश होतो.
HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
APPELLATE SIDE
NOTIFICATION
No. Rule/P.1603/Notification No.05/2026.— In exercise of the powers conferred by Article
225 of the Constitution of India, directions of the Supreme Court of India dated 17th July 2013 in
Writ Petition (C) No. 162 of 2018 titled as ‘Ms. Binu Tamta and Anr. V/s. High Court of Delhi and
Ors.’ and all other powers enabling in this regard, the Chief Justice and Judges of the High Court
of Bombay are pleased to make the following regulations to amend the Gender Sensitization and
Sexual Harassment of Women at the High Court of Bombay (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal)
Regulations, 2014, namely :—
Gender Sensitization and Sexual Harassment of Women at the High Court of Bombay
(Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) (Amendment) Regulations, 2026.
CHAPTER - I
1. Short title and commencement :—
(1) These Regulations may be called the “Gender Sensitization and Sexual Harassment of Women
at the High Court of Bombay (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) (Amendment) Regulations,
2026.”
(2) These regulations shall be deemed to have come into force from 18th August, 2025.
2. Definitions -
In Rule 2(a) of the Regulations, 2014 insert “, Circuit Bench at Kolhapur” after the word
‘Aurangabad’ and before the words ‘or High Court of Bombay at Goa’
भाग चार-क-११--१ (१)२ महाराष्ट्र शासन राजपत्र असाधारण भाग चार-क, फेब्रुवारी २७, २०२६/फाल्गुन ८, शके १९४७
In Rule 2 (k)(vi) insert “, Circuit Bench at Kolhapur” after the words ‘its Benches’ and
before the words ‘or High Court of Bombay at Goa’
In Rule 201) insert “, Circuit Bench at Kolhapur” after the word ‘Aurangabad’ and before
the words ‘and High Court of Bombay at Goa’.
In Rule 2(m) in the first line insert “, Circuit Bench at Kolhapur” after the words its Benches
and before the words and High Court of Bombay at Goa.
In Rule 2(m) insert, “, Circuit Bench at Kolhapur” after the words ‘High Court of Bombay
Bench at Aurangabad’ and before the words ‘and High Court of Bombay at Goa’.
3. Prevention of sexual harassment.—
In Rule 3 insert, “, Circuit Bench at Kolhapur” after the words ‘its Benches’ and before
the words ‘and High Court of Bombay at Goa precincts’.
CHAPTER - II
4. Constitution of the Gender Sensitization and Internal Complaints Committee
In Rule 4(1) Insert, “, Circuit Bench at Kolhapur” after the words ‘its Benches’ and before
the words ‘and High Court of Bombay at Goa’
7. Functions of The Gender Sensitization and Internal Complaints Committee—
In Rule 7(2)(i) insert, “, Circuit Bench at Kolhapur” after the words ‘its Benches’ and
before the words ‘and High Court of Bombay at Goa’
In Rule 7(3)(i) insert, “, Circuit Bench at Kolhapur” after the words_‘its Benches’ and
before the words‘and High Court of Bombay at Goa’
In Rule 7(4) insert, “, Circuit Bench at Kolhapur” after the words_its Benches’ and
before the words‘and High Court of Bombay at Goa’.
CHAPTER - III
8. Complaint of Sexual Harassment
In Rule 8(1) insert, “, Circuit Bench at Kolhapur” after the words ‘its Benches’ and before
the words ‘and High Court of Bombay at Goa’
9. Inquiry into complaint—
In Rule 9(1)(a) insert “or Circuit Bench at Kolhapur” after the word ‘benches’ and
before the words ‘or High Court of Goa’
11. Orders and Inquiry Reports -
In Rule 11(2)(a) insert, “, Circuit Bench at Kolhapur” after the words ‘its benches’ and
before the words ‘and High Court of Bombay at Goa’
CHAPTER - IV
15. Duties —
In Rule 15(a) insert, “, Circuit Bench at Kolhapur” after the words ‘its benches’ and before
the words ‘and High Court of Bombay at Goa’
High Court, Appellate Side, Bombay, SWAPNIL C. KHATI,
Date : 26th February, 2026. Registrar General.
ON BEHALF OF GOVERNMENT PRINTING, STATIONERY AND PUBLICATION, PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY DIRECTOR,
RUPENDRA DINESH MORE, PRINTED AT GOVERNMENT CENTRAL PRESS, 21-A, NETAJI SUBHASH ROAD, CHARNI ROAD,
MUMBAI 400 004 AND PUBLISHED AT DIRECTORATE OF GOVERNMENT PRINTING, STATIONERY AND PUBLICATIONS,
21-A, NETAJI SUBHASH ROAD, CHARNI ROAD, MUMBAI 400 004. EDITOR : DIRECTOR, RUPENDRA DINESH MORE.