CJI sexual harassment case: Woman walks out of inquiry panel
The former Supreme Court employee, who accused Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi of sexual misconduct, said late Tuesday evening that she won't be part of panel probing the allegations as she is "unlikely to get justice". The panel, headed by Justice SA Bobde, was set up last week. It also includes Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice Indu Malhotra. Here's what went down.
A bit about the allegations and what happened so far
Last month, the woman sent an affidavit to 22 SC judges detailing that CJI Gogoi harassed her at his home office in October 2018. Dismissing the serious charges, CJI Gogoi held an unprecedented hearing in which he spoke about judiciary's independence. Subsequently, a panel meant for a "non-judiciary inquiry" was formed. Justice NV Ramana was also part of it, but he recused himself.
Committee lacked sensitivity needed to tackle the case: Accuser
Before Tuesday, the panel met twice but proceedings remained inconclusive. The woman released a press statement saying she had serious reservations about getting justice. "The committee seemed not to appreciate the fact that this was not an ordinary complaint but was a complaint of sexual harassment against a sitting CJI," her statement read. The committee's approach gave her fear, anxiety, and trauma, she claimed.
Woman wasn't allowed to discuss proceedings with lawyer
According to the accuser, the panel told her during the first meeting she can't disclose the proceedings to anyone, including her lawyer Vrinda Grover. The woman told the panel to summon CDR and WhatsApp calls of two relevant numbers, but her request was denied. She claimed when she was leaving the court after the meeting, four men on two bikes followed her.
Woman requested presence of lawyer, but panel didn't listen
"I told the committee that it would not be possible for me to participate any further if I was not allowed the presence of my lawyer/support person. But this request was still refused by the committee and I was told that if I didn't participate they would proceed ex parte," she added.
Woman lost hearing due to stress, told judges about it
The woman said she was asked to narrate her account, which she did to the best of her ability despite feeling intimidated. She revealed to judges that she lost hearing in one ear due to stress. "As a result of this, I was sometimes unable to hear what was being dictated by Hon'ble Justice Bobde to the court official as a record of my statements before the committee," she said.
Woman explained why her witnesses might not turn up
The panel asked the woman to produce witnesses and she informed that most of them were working in the top court. So, they might not be able to testify fearlessly. She also apprised them that due to her present health condition, the proceedings might prove detrimental for her. The woman also asked the committee to follow Vishaka guidelines, but no one paid heed.
"I was not likely to get justice from this committee"
Pointing out the glaring mistakes in how the committee handled her case, the woman said her statements weren't video or audio recorded. "I have not been supplied even a copy of my statement as recorded on 26th and 29th April 2019. I was not informed about the procedure this committee is following," she said. Assuming she won't get justice, the woman withdrew from panel.
