JUDGMENT

Akil Kureshi; CJ.:--

This appeal is filed by the original petitioner to challenge the judgment of the learned Single Judge dated 17th May 2021 passed in WP(C) No.243/2021. A short prayer of the petitioner for expeditious disposal of her appeal against the report of the Internal Complaints Committee (“ICC” for short) under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (hereinafter to be referred to as “the Act of 2013”), has run into jurisdictional debate. In order to decide whether this seemingly innocuous prayer of the petitioner can be granted by the High Court, we shall have to cross the threshold question of maintainability of her petition.

[2] As briefly as possible, the relevant facts may be narrated :

The petitioner is employed as a Scientist in the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), a Government of India organization. The respondent No.6 is the Joint Director of the same organization (hereinafter to be referred to as “the private respondent”). On 5th December 2018, the petitioner made a complaint to the Director of ICAR against the respondent No.6 making detailed allegations of her mental and physical harassm