Internship or Invitation? What He Really Wanted After 7 PM

A Real-Life Account of Sexual Harassment from Inside a Litigation Chamber — and the Laws That Can Fight It

It Started With a Scroll on LinkedIn...

Yesterday, as I casually scrolled through LinkedIn, a post by a young law intern stopped me cold. She wasn't celebrating an achievement. She wasn't announcing a placement. She was calling out a predator in a black coat — a senior advocate — who tried to use her ambition as an opportunity for abuse. Her words weren’t vague. They were exact. Brutal. Clear.

Let me share her story with you — because it’s not just her story. It’s every intern’s fear, especially in unregulated litigation chambers.

In Her Own Words

"On just my second day, Mr. Gupta: Asked me to stay after 7 PM to “discuss work.” He slowly sent everyone else home. Then, he made inappropriate, disturbing propositions — asking for a physical relationship and an affair. He admitted he has a wife and kids. He insisted everything would remain ‘confidential’ and warned me not to ‘use it against him’ like other women allegedly had. He flaunted his wealth and said he would “pay a lot” if I worked for him “his way.” I tried to stay composed and left using my parents’ call as an excuse. But inside, I was shaken, terrified, and deeply violated. Let me be clear: I was always professional. I never encouraged anything beyond legal work. I came here to learn litigation — not to be exploited. This is not just harassment. It’s abuse of power. And the worst part? Everyone in the office seems to know his pattern — and they still stay silent. I am speaking up not just for myself but for every law student who has faced this silently. We are not weak. We are not asking for it. We are asking for safety."

What Happened Here – Legally?

This is not a “grey area.” What happened here is clearly defined as sexual harassment under the law. Let’s break down the updated legal framework under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 and POSH Act, 2013.

Legal Provisions That Apply

1. Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 — POSH Act

This law defines sexual harassment and lays down a framework for redressal at the workplace. It mandates:

• Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) in firms with 10+ employees

• Local Complaints Committee (LCC) at district level for others

  
  

Definition of Sexual Harassment [Sec. 2(n) & 3]:Includes:

• Unwelcome sexual advances

• Demand or request for sexual favours

• Sexually coloured remarks

• Physical, verbal, or non-verbal conduct of a sexual nature

What Mr. Gupta did is classic sexual harassment under this Act.

2. Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS)

With the new criminal code now in effect (replacing the IPC), here are the updated sections:

Section 73, BNS – Sexual Harassment

Covers:

• Unwelcome physical contact and advances

• Demand/request for sexual favours

• Making sexually coloured remarks

• Showing pornography

• Any other unwelcome conduct of sexual nature

Punishment:

• Up to 3 years imprisonment and/or fine

This directly covers Mr. Gupta’s verbal demands for a physical relationship and sexual favour in exchange for internship.

Section 77, BNS – Insulting the Modesty of a Woman

If any person uses words, gestures, or actions intended to insult the modesty of a woman, he shall be punished.

Punishment:

• Up to 3 years imprisonment and/or fine

Mr. Gupta’s explicit statement — “No, I mean a physical relationship. It will happen.” — squarely falls under this provision.

Additional Offences (Depending on the Case):

• Section 354, BNS – Assault or use of criminal force on woman with intent to outrage her modesty

• Section 356, BNS – Stalking

• Section 69, BNS – Criminal intimidation (for threats like “don’t use this against me”)

The Real Problem: No POSH, No HR, No Accountability

Most internships in India—especially litigation internships—happen in:

• Small chambers

• Solo practices

• Informal, unregistered workplaces

In such places:

• POSH Act is ignored

• No Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) exists

• Law interns are not even treated as workers with rights

That’s where predators thrive. In silence.

What Can a Legal Intern Do?

If you're facing or witnessing something similar, here's what you should know and do:

1. Document Everything

• Keep screenshots, call logs, emails, texts.

• Write down what happened — date, time, exact words, setting.

2. Complain Under POSH Act

• Firms with 10+ employees must have an Internal Complaints Committee.

• If not, approach the Local Complaints Committee (District Magistrate's Office).

3. File an FIR Under BNS

You can file a police complaint under:

• Section 73 (Sexual Harassment)

• Section 77 (Insulting modesty)

• Section 69 (Threats)

The police must register your FIR under the new BNS framework.

4. Inform Your College

• Use the college’s Gender Sensitization Cell, Anti-Sexual Harassment Committee, or any faculty contact you trust.

• Many colleges can blacklist abusive firms.

Why Do Women Stay Silent?

Because:

• “He’s a powerful lawyer.”

• “What if this affects my career?”

• “No one will believe me.”

• “I didn’t record anything.”

• “This happens to everyone…”

But your silence protects only one person — the abuser.

Speak Up. Support Others. Change the Culture.

This intern's courage to speak publicly should not be rare—it should be routine. When we normalize calling out workplace harassment, we begin to dismantle the power structures that protect predators.

Remember:

Being ambitious does not mean being available. Internships are meant for learning, not surviving. Silence is not professionalism. Speaking up is.

To Law Colleges & Bar Councils:

• Vet the places where you send your students.

• Make it mandatory for law chambers to follow POSH Act rules.

• Teach students how to recognize and report harassment.

• Support interns when they speak up.

Final Words: Interns Are Not Prey

Dear senior lawyers,You are not gods. You are not mentors if you exploit. You are criminals under the new law.

To all young women entering law — know your rights. Know your worth. Never confuse silence with safety.

Speak even if your voice shakes — because what happens “after 7 PM” should never happen again.

Need Help or Want to Share Your Story?

You can reach out to:

• District LCC (Local Complaints Committee)

• NGOs

• Your college’s Legal Aid Cell

Or even publish your story anonymously on platforms like Legal Thikana — because your voice can spark change. Send your Article legal@socialthikana.in

Speak. Share. Support.

If this article resonates with you, share it. Tag someone who needs to read it. Raise your voice, because every time we speak, we take the power back.