May 2, 2019:

CJI Ranjan Gogoi appeared before inquiry by a 3-judge panel headed by Justice S A Bobde and answered queries on sexual harassment complaint against him by a dismissed woman employee of Supreme Court.

After woman complainant withdrew from inquiry proceedings by Panel comprising of Justice Bobde, Justice Indu Malhotra and Justice Indira Banerjee, panel decided to proceed ex parte (without all the parties being present).

This was as per its decision conveyed to complainant on April 26, the first day of the inquiry, that if she withdrew at any point of time, then the inquiry would go on ex parte. SC sources said she had agreed to this condition.

On Wednesday, the Panel issued a letter of request to CJI to join the inquiry.

Under Civil Procedure Code, high constitutional office-holders like President, PM and CJI are not issued the summons to appear before an inquiry committee but are sent letters of request.

Responding to request, CJI Gogoi appeared before Panel and answered questions put do him.

Sources stated that since inquiry was into a complaint against CJI, and Panel was set up with approval of full court meeting of all SC judges, Committee would in all likelihood submit its inquiry report to Full Court.

Former Junior Court Assistant, who was in employment of SC from May 1, 2014 till her dismissal on December 21, 2018, had on April 19 written to SC judges seeking an inquiry into her alleged sexual harassment and consequent tormenting of her family members.

In an unprecedented hearing on April 20, CJI strongly refuted charges and entrusted Justice Bobde with the administrative power to decide on future course of action.

Justice Bobde constituted a 3-judge Committee headed by him and comprising Justice N.V Ramana and Justice Indira Banerjee. This was ratified by the full court meeting.

But complainant wrote to 3 judges expressing reservations against inclusion of Justice Ramana alleging that he was very close to CJI Gogoi. This was read to mean Justice Ramana’s exclusion would make the in-house panel acceptable to her.

Source TOI

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