Another retired SC judge accused of sexual harassment

Another retired Supreme Court (SC) judge has now been singed by sexual harassment charges, as a 23-year-old law graduate has accused him of “unwelcome sexual conduct and advances” during her internship with him while he was in office in 2011.

The latest revelations, which have come within days of resignation of Justice A K Ganguly from the post of West Bengal Human Rights Commission chairman due to allegations of similar misdemeanour, will expose the apex court to fresh public scrutiny.

The SC had decided (on administrative side) not to take action against Justice Ganguly since he had retired but also foreclosed any future complaint against former colleagues. In the second sexual harassment case, it is learnt that the incident took place when the law graduate was official intern of the sitting judge, who post-retirement is heading a quasi-judicial panel in the National Capital.

In an affidavit submitted to Chief Justice P Sathasivam, the victim, who was also a student of Kolkata-based National University of Juridical Sciences, said she had to leave her internship with the judge midway for fear of “potential escalation of sexual harassment”. She described different instances, alleging that the judge had grabbed her hand, kissed her shoulder and placed his hand on her lower back. In one incident, he allegedly asked her if she would be comfortable travelling with him and staying in a hotel.
The girl claimed she gained “courage and confidence” to complain against the judge after watching the SC take prompt action in the matter involving Justice Ganguly.