Section 12: inquiry into unfair practices

(1) The Commission may inquire into any unfair practice,- (a) on receiving a written complaint from any women alleging that she has been subjected to any unfair practice or on a similar complaint from any registered women's organisation; (b) on its own knowledge or information; (c) on any request from the Government; (d) on a complaint lodged by a person having personal knowledge of such unfair practice. (2) Where the complaint has been made under clause (a) of sub-section (a), the Commission may, before the issue of any process to the person complained against, cause a preliminary investigation to be made in such manner as it may deem fit. for the purpose of satisfying itself that the complaint requires to be enquired into. (3) (i) Where the person against whom the complaint has been made, appears and shows cause and satisfies the Commission, no further action be taken thereon for initiation of any proceeding; (ii) Where the person against whom the complaint has been made, appears and fails to satisfy the Commission or where he fails to appear on the day appointed for the purpose, the Commission may proceed to inquire in to the matter alleged in the complaint and if the Commission finds that there is any unfair practice or there appears to be a special ground for proceeding in the matter, the Commission shall recommend to the State Government for initiating action and prosecution in that matter. (4) The State Government shall, within three months from the date of receipt of the recommendations of the Commission under sub-section (3), take a decision thereon and intimate the same to the Commission.