Allahabad High Court raises concern over safety of women in gyms

Allahabad High Court has expressed “serious concern” over the issue of women being trained by male instructors at gyms without adequate safeguards for their safety and dignity.

The observations were made while hearing a case in which a Meerut-based woman alleged that her male trainer abused her by calling her “Chamari Chamatti”. She further alleged that he used caste-based slurs, pushed her on the chest, and drove her out of the premises.

The trainer had moved the court after the Meerut police booked him in the matter.

“It is a matter of serious concern that presently male gym trainers are imparting training to female clients without adequate safeguards to ensure their safety and dignity,” Justice Shaker Kumar Yadav said in the order dated August 27.

Justice Yadav noted that the allegations attracted provisions of Section 3(2)(5) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, as well as relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The court, referring to the complainant’s statement recorded under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, observed that she had alleged that the accused prepared obscene videos of one of her friends and had been sending such material to her for the past six to seven months.

“The said allegations may also attract offences punishable under Sections 354 and 504 IPC,” Justice Yadav said.

In view of the circumstances, the court directed the Investigating Officer of Police Station Brahmpuri, Meerut, to file a personal affidavit detailing whether the gym operated by the appellant was duly registered, whether the accused had been arrested in the case, and whether the trainers employed there were female.

The matter is scheduled to be heard next on September 8.