From Fitness to Fear: Allahabad HC Flags Safety Gaps for Women Under Male Gym Trainers
Court was hearing a case where a male gym trainer allegedly abused a woman client and made obscene videos of another to harass her
Women fitness, Allahabad High Court
The Allahabad High Court has directed the police in Meerut to submit a personal affidavit on the status of investigation against a local gym trainer accused of caste-based abuse and misconduct against a female client.
Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav issued the directions on August 27, 2025, while hearing a criminal appeal filed by the accused, Nitin Saini.
According to the First Information Report, Nitin Saini is a gym trainer who runs a fitness centre called Fit and Lift at Madhavpuram, Prem Vihar, in Meerut. The complaint alleges that on April 29, 2024, at around 7:57 p.m., a woman client was working out at the gym when Saini verbally abused her by using a caste-based slur. It was further alleged that he pushed her on the chest, hurled filthy abuses, and forced her to leave the gym premises.
The alleged acts, on the face of it, attract provisions of Section 3(2)(5) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, as well as provisions of the Indian Penal Code.
Court noted that the nature of allegations made the case a matter of serious concern.
The victim’s statement was also recorded under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. In her statement, the woman alleged that Saini had prepared obscene videos of her friend and had been sending such obscene material to the friend for the past six to seven months. On the basis of these allegations, court observed that the offences may also attract Sections 354 and 504 of the IPC.
Justice Yadav also recorded a broader concern regarding women’s safety in gyms. He observed that male trainers often provide training to female clients without safeguards in place to ensure their dignity and security. Court indicated that this issue required closer attention in the present matter.
In light of these circumstances, court directed the Investigating Officer of Police Station Brahmpuri, Meerut, to place on record a personal affidavit before the next hearing. The affidavit is to provide clarity on three points: Whether the gym operated by the appellant is duly registered under law, whether the appellant has been arrested in connection with the case, and whether there are female trainers employed in the gym.
Court has fixed September 8, 2025, as the next date of hearing for the matter.
Case Title: Nitin Saini vs State of UP and Another
Order Date: August 27, 2025
Bench: Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav