Judge sexual harassment case: Prasad seeks fair inquiry

Allegations of sexual harassment levelled by an additional district judge in Madhya Pradesh against a High Court judge should be inquired into fairly and appropriate action should be taken, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said today.

"An incident of alleged sexual harassment of an additional district judge in Madhya Pradesh by a High Court judge has come in media. This incident, as reported, is deeply regrettable and unfortunate," Prasad told reporters outside Parliament House.

The Law Minister said the matter is sensitive and it is very assuring that the Chief Justice of India himself has taken initiative to follow up the issue in the light of the complaint.

"I would wish, more as a citizen of India, that the matter needs to be inquired into fairly and objectively and in the event if the allegations are found to be correct, then I am sure, the judiciary led by the hon'ble CJI would be wise enough to take appropriate action," Prasad said.

A woman additional district and sessions judge in Gwalior has quit her job after accusing a judge of the Gwalior bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court of sexual harassment, a charge he has rejected and offered to face death penalty if found true.

The woman judge concerned has sent a nine-page representation to the CJI stating that the high court judge had some months ago started showing "more than normal interest" in her work and had gradually started making "coloured remarks" about her.