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New Delhi:  The Supreme Court on Friday issued notices to the Centre, the Haryana Government and other concerned authorities on a petition seeking an independent probe into shocking allegations that female sanitation workers at Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU), Rohtak, were allegedly forced to prove their menstruation by showing pictures of their private parts.

A Bench comprising Justice B.V. Nagarathna and Justice R. Mahadevan described the episode as deeply disturbing and reflective of a problematic mindset. “This shows the mentality of the persons involved. If some heavy work could not be done because of their absence, somebody else could have been deployed. We hope something good will happen in this petition,” the Bench observed while issuing notices and seeking replies from all respondents. The court posted the matter for further hearing on December 15.

‘Period Leave in One State, Proof Demanded in Another’: Court

Reacting sharply to the allegations, Justice Nagarathna remarked, “This reflects the mindset. In Karnataka, they are granting leave. After reading this, I thought they would ask for proof to give the leave.” The observation underlined the stark contrast in how menstruation is being addressed across states.

The matter came before the apex court after the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) filed a petition, terming the incident a gross criminal violation of women’s dignity and privacy.

Senior advocate and SCBA President Vikas Singh told the court that the issue demands urgent judicial intervention. “This can’t be tolerated. Let them respond to this, and I will suggest something… I am also working on what kind of nationwide guidelines can be adopted. This is a severe issue that nobody wants to talk about,” he submitted.

Haryana Govt Says Inquiry Initiated, Action Taken

Appearing for the Haryana Government, the State counsel informed the court that a departmental inquiry had already been initiated. He stated that the two supervisors responsible for the act, and the Assistant Registrar, who was the administrative head, had already been taken to task.

An FIR has reportedly been registered under multiple serious sections, including:

• Criminal intimidation

• Sexual harassment

• Assault or use of criminal force

• The intent to outrage the modesty of a woman

Three persons associated with MDU have been booked so far. Meanwhile, the university has suspended two male supervisors and ordered an internal probe into the incident.

What the Supreme Court Bar Association Is Demanding

The SCBA, in its petition, termed the episode a “rampant violation of dignity, privacy and bodily autonomy” of women workers in institutional settings. It said such acts constitute a gross violation of Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to life, dignity, privacy, and bodily integrity.

The petition emphasised that women workers—especially those in the unorganised sector—are entitled to decent working conditions that respect biological realities, without subjecting them to humiliating and invasive checks during menstruation.

Citing several media reports on period-shaming across educational institutions and government workplaces, the SCBA sought nationwide guidelines to ensure that no woman is subjected to such degrading treatment in the future.

The petition also referred to the RG Kar Medical College & Hospital rape and murder case in Kolkata, where the Supreme Court had underscored the importance of safe and dignified working conditions for women.

How the Incident Unfolded

The alleged incident took place on October 26, just hours before Haryana Governor Ashim Kumar Ghosh was scheduled to visit the MDU campus.

In a written complaint, three female sanitation workers alleged that despite informing their supervisors that they were unwell due to menstruation, they were forced to continue heavy cleaning work. When they resisted, the supervisors allegedly demanded proof and asked them to show pictures to establish that they were menstruating.

The women further claimed that the supervisors told them they were acting on the directions of an Assistant Registrar.

Nationwide Implications

With the Supreme Court now seized of the matter, the case is expected to have far-reaching implications on women’s workplace rights, particularly concerning menstrual dignity, privacy, and humane work conditions. The apex court’s forthcoming directions are likely to shape uniform national safeguards against period-related harassment in all institutional and government workplaces.