Extend scope of Vishaka Guidelines to Religious Institutions, petition filed in SC

A petition seeking extension of scope of Vishaka guidelines to religious and spiritual places has been filed in the Supreme Court. The petition states that places like Ashrams, Madrassas and Catholic Institutions should also have guidelines to prevent sexual exploitation of women..The petition has been filed by advocate Maneesh Pathak contending violation of Articles 14, 19, 21 and 25..The petition which has been filed in the light of recent instances of sexual exploitation in Madrasas, Ashrama and Catholic institutions states that the rights of women and their bodily integrity needs to be protected. It states,.“[T]his petition came into light due to the rampant rise of sexual exploitation related crimes against the women at the religious institutions like ashrams, madarsas or catholic institutions, happening in nearly all the States, in some or the other form of which only few gets reported (sic)”.To highlight the rise in such incidents, the petitioner has also listed some recent examples and named the likes of Asaram Bapu, Baba Ram Rahim, Daati Maharaj as well as Bishop Franco Mullakkal all of whom are accused of committing sexual offences..One of the points in the petition is that many instances of sexual offences at religious or spiritual institutions go unreported which makes it imperative for guidelines to be framed to prevent such instances from taking place..The women today are living in the fear of sexual exploitation before joining or indulging with any religious institutions like Ashrams, Madarsas or the Catholic institutions. This, the petition states, amounts to curtailing the Rights of women under Articles 14, 19, 21 and 25 of the Constitution..The petitioner has prayed for either the effective extension of Vishaka guidelines to bring religious and spiritual institutions under its scope or for separate guidelines for such religious institutions to prevent sexual exploitation in such establishments and institutions..The petition also prays for a direction to be issued to such institutions to collect and furnish data relating to women devotees and to aid victims. Additionally, the petitioner has also prayed that a background check of ‘religious gurus’ be conducted.