ORAL ORDER

Both these petitions are filed by the accused persons seeking quashing of the impugned complaint and FIR in Crime No.447/2024 filed by the 2^nd respondent – de facto complainant for alleged offences punishable under Sections 354 , 354A, 500 and 504 of IPC and for other reliefs.

2. The 2^nd respondent – de facto complainant was working as a product manager in General Electric Company from 24.05.2021 onwards and the petitioners are her colleagues also employed in the same company. The 2^nd respondent filed the instant complaint which was registered as an FIR in Crime No.447/2024 dated 08.07.2024 against five accused persons. The petitioner in Crl.P.No.9417/2024 is arraigned as accused No.1, while petitioners in Crl.P.No.9042/2024 are arraigned as accused Nos. 2 to 5 respectively.

3. Heard learned Senior counsel for the petitioners and learned HCGP for 1^st respondent – State and learned counsel for 2^nd respondent and perused the material on record.

4. A perusal of the material on record will indicate that in addition to the impugned complaint and FIR, the 2^nd respondent had also instituted proceedings under the provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Preventio