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POSH practical guide

Natural justice and inquiry procedure

Finin2min operating guidance linked to the Act, Rules and current official implementation material.

Authors: Nikhil Gupta & Kajri SinghData reviewed on 17 July 2026

Minimum process controls

Rule 7 requires service of the complaint, a response opportunity, natural justice, advance notice before termination or ex parte action, no legal practitioner representation before the Committee, and a minimum of three members including the Presiding Officer or Chairperson.

Evidence discipline

Maintain an indexed record of complaint, response, electronic records, witness statements, hearing notices, attendance, objections, procedural orders and reasons. Give both parties a fair opportunity on material used for findings.

Reasoned report

Separate allegations, issues, evidence, credibility assessment, findings, statutory analysis and recommendations. Avoid moral commentary, assumptions based on delay or stereotype, and findings outside the allegations without due notice.

Supreme Court emphasis: The 2023 Aureliano Fernandes judgment treats procedural fairness and adherence to the statutory mechanism as central, not optional.

Primary provisions

Use the section and rule repository and the source register. Apply State rules, service rules and current forum details before acting.