VISHAKA GUIDELINES

Plea to include religious institutions: 

• The petition has been filed by advocate Maneesh Pathak in the background of recent instances such as cases of priests being accused of sexual abuse in Kerala and of self-styled gurus like Daati Maharaj, Baba Ram Rahim and Asaram Bapu.
  
  
• The petition said religious institutions also have women employed there other than those working on a voluntary basis.
  
  
• Extending the Vishakha Guidelines to these religious institutions, would assist in reducing sexually related crimes against women at religious places by gurus or leaders of that particular institution.
  
  
• It said the government should do a background verification of religious leaders, especially “new upcoming babas” or “heads of those madrasas” and churches.
  
  
• It also sought directions to the Centre to provide adequate measures for women safety at religious places by conducting periodic checks by State women panels.