Sexual Harassment Allegations Against CJI: SC Says Bigger Plot To Deactivate Office Of CJI

In response to some media reports on sexual harassment allegations against CJI Ranjan Gogoi made by a former Supreme Court employee, a three-Judge Bench of the Supreme Court comprising of the CJI, Justice Arun Mishra and Justice Sanjiv Khanna held a special sitting today.

The notice by registry had stated that the sitting is to deal with a matter of 'great public importance touching upon the independence of the judiciary'.

The CJI, acknowledging the communications received from the Wire, Leaflet, Caravan and Scroll, said:

"All I would like to say is this, undoubtedly every employees are treated fairly and decently. This employee was there for a month and half. Allegations came and I didn't deem it appropriate to reply to the allegations."

He further continued:

"More After 20 years or selfless service. It is unbelievable ...With a bank balance of 6,80,000 that is in my bank account. This is my total asset. When I started as a judge, I have much hope. On the verge of retirement I have 6 lakhs.This is the reward CJI gets after 20 years , a bank balance of 680,000. This I thought should be told from highest seat of judiciary." 

The CJI said he believes that there is a bigger plot behind this, and those people 'want to deactivate the office of CJI'. The CJI said:

"Independence of judiciary is under very very serious threat. If the judges have to work under these conditions, good people will never come to this office.. I have to say this to the citizens if the country, Judiciary of the country is under serious threat. But regardless of that I'll continue to function."

The Solicitor General Tushar Mehta termed the allegations 'a blackmail technique', while the Attorney General KK Venugopal highlighted the fact that the names have been published, even though there is a legal bar. Justice Arun Mishra, who is also part of the bench, said: "We are not passing any judicial order at the moment. It is the wisdom of media to publish it or not." 

The CJI further expressed his anguish. He said:

"No judge is going to decide cases if this is the kind of attack we get. Reputation is only thing we get. Even that is attacked"

The court said that an appropriate Bench will hear the sexual harassment allegations. 

The Reports

The report by Scroll said that a former Junior Court Assistant in Supreme Court has, in a letter to Judges of the SC Judges alleged that she faced sexual harassment from Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi. In a 28 page write up, styled as 'affidavit', the former employee complains that she and her family have been victimized for resisting and refusing the unwanted sexual advances of the CJI.