CJI Gogoi Appears Before SC Panel Probing Sexual Harassment Allegations; Victim Backs Out Of Inquiry

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi on Wednesday (1 May) appeared before an inquiry committee comprising of three Supreme Court (SC) judges set up to investigate sexual harassment allegations against the CJI, reports Indian Express.

On 20 April, a 35-year-old former court officer levelled severe allegations against CJI Gogoi, accusing him of sexual misconduct and harassment.

Subsequently, a three-member committee led by Justice SA Bobde was appointed to conduct an inquiry into the allegations. The committee includes two other women SC judges Indu Malhotra and Indira Banerjee.

Following the in-house procedure, the committee had asked the CJI to appear before it and was obliged yesterday.

After the committee completes its inquiries, it is expected to submit its report to the Secretary-General of the Supreme Court “in a sealed envelope.”

This is in line with past instances where no in-house probe was made public and the SC intends to follow the precedent in this case too.

Conspiracy

It should be noted that on Tuesday, the woman who had accused the CJI walked out of the inquiry stating that she felt she was “not likely to get justice.

An inquiry led by former SC judge Justice A K Patnaik has also been initiated into allegations of a conspiracy behind the accusations of sexual harassment against the Chief Justice.

Also Read: Five Mistakes Made By CJI Gogoi In Dealing With Ex-Assistant’s Claims Of Misconduct