April 20, 2019
In response to clarifications sought from Justice Gogoi, the secretary general of the Supreme Court said the woman’s allegations were “completely and absolutely false and scurrilous and are totally denied,” according to media reports.
In the affidavit seen by DH, the woman claimed that she and her family faced “consistent persecution,” after she refused Justice Gogoi’s sexual advances.
The former employee further recounts that Gogoi took an active interest in her personal and professional life. He also told her that he was going to become the Chief Justice of India and he needed staff he could trust. She saw being transferred to Gogoi’s residential office on Tees January Marg as a prestigious position.
Recalling two incidents of harassment, the woman claimed that Gogoi hugged her around the waist and pressed his body against her and did not let go. She pushed him away after the second incident which led to Gogoi hitting his head on a bookshelf. Gogoi later instructed her to not speak about the alleged incidents with anyone.
Following the incident, the former employee claimed that her victimisation and harassment began which led to her dismissal on the basis of a departmental enquiry report based on completely motivated and on frivolous grounds. She was transferred thrice to different sections within Supreme Court and was finally dismissed from her post on 21 December 2018.
The woman in the affidavit said the harassment did not stop even after she was dismissed and that the entire family was targeted. She claimed that her husband and brother-in-law were suspended from the Delhi Police in a case that was mutually resolved earlier. Her brother was terminated from his job as a temporary junior court attendant in the Supreme Court.
Highlights from the Supreme Court proceeding
Attorney General KK Venugopal and SG Tushar Mehta present in the Court. President and members of the Supreme Court Bar Association are also present in the Court.
We have a couple of things as Chief Justice of India, I need discussions with you: CJI
Last evening I received 4 communications from Wire, Leaflet, Caravan and Scroll: CJI
Saying a letter is circulated by a dismissed SC employee alleging that CJI has sought sexual favours. Saying her family has been threatened, criminal cases against them. Secretary-General has replied to them.
All I would like to say is this, undoubtedly every employee is treated fairly and decently. This employee was there for a month and a half. Allegations came and I didn’t deem it appropriate to reply to the allegations: CJI
How did she enter Supreme Court service when there are criminal cases pending against her? I inquired with Delhi Police: CJI
I don’t think that this can be of a plot of a junior assistant. There is a bigger plot. They want to deactivate the office of CJI
Independence of judiciary is under very very serious threat. If judges have to work under these conditions, good people will never come to this office: CJI
Surely this sounds like a blackmail technique: SG Tushar Mehta
So far as Section 16 of the Sexual Harassment Act, the names cannot be published at all. Here names were published: AG KK Venugopal
Publishing name attracts a penalty under Section 16: SCBA President
We are not passing any judicial order at this moment. We, however, ask media to show restraint, responsibility and wisdom so that independence of the judiciary is not affected by baseless allegations: Supreme Court.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta prods the Bench to register a complaint in his name but court refrains as of now.
SPL hearing in SC: A bench comprising CJI Ranjan Gogoi, J Arun Mishra and J Sanjiv Khanna says an appropriate Bench will hear the sexual harassment allegations against CJI.
I am hearing important cases next week and hence this attempt to dissuade me from hearing the important matters: CJI
Sources : Deccan hreald
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