#MeToo: Harassed ex-judge moves SC, wants her job back

The Supreme Court on Friday issued a notice to the Madhya Pradesh High Court's registrar general on a plea by a woman sessions judge, seeking a direction to reinstate her.

She had resigned in 2014 after making sexual harassment charges against a sitting High Court judge.

At a time when #MeToo movement has struck film and media industry, the instant case is reflective of sexual harassment in higher judiciary, though the charges against the particular judge could not withstand judicial and statutory scrutiny.

On Friday, a bench of Justices A K Sikri and Ashok Bhushan sought response from HC registrar general within six weeks on her petition filed in the name of 'Ms X'.

Senior advocate Indira Jaising, representing the petitioner judge, sought her reinstatement and restoration of all her emoluments.

Notably, the accused HC judge was cleared of all charges by a committee formed by the Rajya Sabha Panel.

The woman judge from Gwalior had claimed she had resigned to protect her dignity and self-esteem and to save herself from harassment.