Sexual harassment charge against judge: CJI to seek report

The allegations have been levelled by a woman judge against a sitting judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court

The Chief Justice of India R.M. Lodha will initiate action against a sitting judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court after getting a report from the Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh High Court regarding the allegations of sexual harassment leveled by a woman judge against the High Court judge concerned.

Speaking to

The Hindu , the Justice Lodha said “The complaint is not before me. I have not yet received the complaint from the woman judge. Once a formal complaint is received I will call for a report from the Madhya Pradesh HC Chief Justice. This is the first thing we do normally. I will initiate action against the judge concerned based on the report.”

Asked whether a three-judge committee would be constituted to probe into the allegations as contemplated in the Restatement of values, that govern the code of conduct of judges, the CJI said “I don’t know whether the High Court chief justice has received the complaint. First, there must be a prima facie case against the High Court judge. This could be verified only by the High Court Chief Justice. As and when we get a report from the Chief Justice after initial probe, constitution of the three-member committee can be considered.”    

The woman judge who had resigned on July 15 had in her complaint alleged sexual harassment by a High Court judge and said after as she refused to yield to his advances, she was transferred from Gwalior to a remote place in Madhya Pradesh during the middle of academic session. She said “I resigned in compelling and humiliating circumstances to save my dignity, womanhood, self-esteem and career of my daughter.”