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police custody/lock-up infringes Article 21 as well as basic human rights

and strikes a blow at the rule of law, directions have been issued for

compliance by Police personnel while arresting or detaining any person

as preventive measures in addition to constitutional and statutory

safeguards and previous directions of this Court.

15. In Vishaka and Ors. v. State of Rajasthan & Ors. (1997) 6 SCC

241 considering the absence of enacted law to provide for effective

enforcement of the basic rights to gender equality and guarantee against

sexual harassment and abuse, more particularly against sexual

harassment at workplaces, this Court has laid down guidelines and

norms for due observance at all work places or institutions until the

legislation is enacted for the purpose.

16. In Vineet Narain & Ors. v. Union of India & Anr. (1998) 1 SCC

226 this Court has referred to various decisions in which guidelines and

directions have been issued in exercise of powers of this Court under

Article 32 read with Article 142. The relevant portion is extracted

hereunder :

“51. In exercise of the powers of this Court under
Article 32 read with Article 142, guidelines and
directions have been issued in a large number of
cases and a brief reference to a few of them is
sufficient. In Erach Sam Kanga v. Union of India
[WP No.2632 of 1978 decided on 20.3.1979) the
Constitution Bench laid down certain guidelines
relating to the Emigration Act. In Lakshmi Kant
Pandey v. Union of India (1984) 2 SCC 244 (In re,

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