Intern should file FIR against Ashok Ganguly: Activists

An appeal to file an FIR has been made to the young law graduate here who has alleged that former Supreme Court Justice Ashok Kumar Ganguly had sexually harassed her last year.

Womens' rights activist Santasree Chaudhuri and members of the NGO 'Bharat Bachao Sangathan' have sent text messages and emails to the woman requesting her to file an FIR.

"I have messaged her appealing that she has to come out now. Once you have accused a person in the open then you have to depose before the police and let the law take its course," Chaudhuri, who runs a helpline 'Survivors for Victims of Social Injustice', told PTI here.

"The case has aroused the compassion of the whole country and now we cannot walk back," she said.

The woman who has passed out from a Kolkata law school had complained about the incident on a blog post and deposed before a Supreme Court panel which probed her allegation.

The committee of three judges of the apex court has indicted Ganguly for 'unwelcome behaviour' and 'conduct of sexual nature' toward the woman in a hotel room in Delhi last year.

"The onus is now on her. If she keeps silent at this stage it would be a mistake on her part. Even the Delhi Police is seeking her support in the investigation," Chaudhuri said.

She said that her organisation was ready to provide any support to the woman if she needed it.President of NGO Bharat Bachao Sangathan, Vineet Ruia, said since the case was sensitive, high-profile and related to sexual harassment, the identity of the victim should be protected.