Supreme Court Arranges Counselling For Female Advocate Who Complained Of Sexual Harassment; Records Sent For Inquiry

The Supreme Court on Monday (January 8) directed that a counselling be arranged for the female advocate, who alleged sexual harassment by a male advocate. The counselling was directed to be arranged at the Supreme Court Mediation Centre. 

A Division Bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta, on being apprised that no counselling could take place as directed on the previous date, ordered that the petitioner be taken for counselling today itself at 03:00 PM. AOR Kumud Lata Das, who was present in court alongside the petitioner, was directed to accompany her in her visit to the counsellor at the Supreme Court Mediation Centre.

It is worthwhile to note that on the previous date, looking at the sensitive nature of the matter, another Bench of the court had directed for suppression of the identities of the parties. While respondent No.2 was restrained from communicating with the petitioner and/or sharing any photographs/videos of her, the Registry was directed to prepare a copy of the petition, alongwith annexures, and send it under sealed cover to the Gender Sensitization Internal Complaints Committee (GSICC) of the court for internal inquiry. In addition, the petitioner was requested to visit a counsellor at the court's Mediation Centre.

Today, Advocate Sandeep Lamba, appearing for respondent No.2 (male Advocate) pointed out that the petitioner had made a social media post after the passing of the Supreme Court's order, purportedly mentioning his name as well as about court proceedings. The Bench asked the petitioner to not repeat the same and to ensure that the previous order (on suppression of identities) was complied with.

"We had directed suppression of the identities of you and R2. Do not make it public. If you're yourself doing it, what's the use of that?" remarked the Bench.

Referring to AOR Yugandhara Pawar Jha (Treasurer, SCBA Executive Committee), the Bench also said, "there is a lady member of the Bar Association Executive Committee...She should be associated with the case...She can be of assistance. Please ask her to be associated".

Case Title: X v. President of SCBA Dr. Adish Aggarwal and Ors., WP(C) Diary No. 52330-2023

Click here to read/download order