Include One Rtd Woman Judge In The Panel, Allow The Complainant To Have Her Lawyer:Details Of Justice Chandarchud's Letter To Justice Bobde Panel

Justice Chandrachud has written a letter to Justice Bobde, who is heading the in-house committee probing the sexual harassment allegations against the CJI, seeking the inclusion of a retired woman judge as an external member, reports the Indian Express.

Quoting sources, the report said that "Justice Chandrachud's letter was "not an individual's view" but conveyed the sense of disquiet among judges of the apex court, as it was written after informal consultations with more than 17 judges".

The letter has suggested the names of retired judges Justices Ruma Pal, Sujata Manohar and Ranjana Prasad Desai. Justice Chandrachud has also urged to address the grievances raised by the woman complainant such as allowing her legal assistance by a lawyer.

As per a report by The Telegraph, Justice Chandrachud has also suggested that a respectable senior woman member of the Bar could also be considered as amicus curiae (friend of the court) so that the top court's image as the ultimate dispenser of justice was not "dented".

Citing lack of trust in the panel, the woman had written to Justice Bobde expressing her decision to refuse to participate in the proceedings. Even thereafter, the Committee had reportedly examined the CJI, who rebutted the allegations against him.

Justice Chandrachud, who is likely to succeed as a CJI in 2022, has reportedly called for a full court meeting to discuss these issues. He met Justice Bobde on May 2 to express the concerns, as per the Express report.

Yesterday, the Indian Express had reported that Justice Chandrachud and Nariman had both together met Justice Bobde. This was later denied by a press statement issued by the SC Secretary General. The In-House Committee which is deliberating on the issue concerning the CJI deliberates on its own without any input from any other Judge of Supreme Court, the Secretary General stated.

Based on the first report of the Indian Express, Live Law had reported that Justice Chandrachud and Justice Nariman had both met Justice Bobde on this issue. This error is regretted.