Criminal-law and police interface
Finin2min operating guidance linked to the Act, Rules and current official implementation material.
Parallel legal tracks
POSH inquiry is an employment-law redressal mechanism and does not replace criminal-law rights. Section 11 permits police forwarding, and section 19 requires employer assistance where the aggrieved woman chooses to complain about an offence.
BNS mapping
The Act's historical text refers to section 509 of the Indian Penal Code. The Ministry SHe-Box FAQ identifies section 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 as the corresponding current provision and notes that other relevant BNS provisions may also apply.
Safe practice
Do not make the Internal Committee decide criminal guilt. Preserve evidence, explain options without coercion, support immediate safety, and seek competent legal advice for police referral and mandatory-reporting issues.
Primary provisions
Use the section and rule repository and the source register. Apply State rules, service rules and current forum details before acting.