Female Judge Accuses District Judge and Associates of Sexual Harassment
Chief Justice DY Chandrachud has initiated an inquiry following the emergence of an open letter, purportedly written by a judge in Uttar Pradesh. The letter accuses a senior district judge and associates of sexual harassment during her tenure in Barabanki, painting a grim picture of her emotional distress.
In the, the judge expressed a profound sense of despair: “I have no will to live anymore. I have been rendered a Walking Corpse in the last year and a half.” Citing extreme sexual harassment and feeling like an unwanted insect, she pleaded for permission to end her life in a dignified manner.
Responding promptly to Chief Justice Chandrachud’s directives, Supreme Court Secretary General Atul M Kurhekar took swift action, reaching out to the registrar general of the Allahabad High Court. The objective was to obtain a comprehensive report on the status of all complaints filed by the judge by the following morning. The acting Chief Justice of the High Court also acknowledged the gravity of the situation, as conveyed in the open letter.
The judge, however, lamented that her complaint filed with the Internal Complaints Committee of the High Court in July 2023 was deemed a “farce and a sham.” She pointed out a glaring conflict of interest, highlighting that the witnesses in the investigation were immediate subordinates of the accused district judge.
Despite her plea for the transfer of the judge pending the inquiry to ensure a fair investigation, her petition was allegedly dismissed by the Supreme Court in a mere eight seconds. The judge, feeling like a walking corpse with no purpose left in her life, emphasized the profound anguish and toll the situation had taken on her well-being.
As Chief Justice Chandrachud intervenes, the case sheds light on the urgent need for a thorough examination of the allegations and, more broadly, the issue of addressing workplace harassment within the judicial system. This incident echoes historical challenges, underlining the importance of a fair and just approach to ensuring the safety and well-being of individuals within the legal fraternity.
This alarming situation draws parallels with previous instances, such as the 2019 case involving a former junior Court Officer accusing Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, emphasizing the ongoing challenges associated with addressing sexual harassment within the judicial framework.
In 1997, the Supreme Court introduced the groundbreaking Vishaka Guidelines to address workplace sexual harassment. The 2013 parliamentary law further established avenues for redressing such grievances through committees.
However, the 2017-2018 #MeToo movement exposed persistent challenges faced by victims, particularly when accusing powerful individuals. Issues like victim blaming, intimidation, and the lack of protection and support hinder justice.
Also read: Chief Justice Intervenes In Viral Sexual Harassment Allegations Against Judge
Former judge Ganguly also emphasized the Supreme Court’s pivotal role as a last resort for justice, underscoring its impact on women reporting workplace harassment in India and globally. The Court’s adherence to fairness and equality principles sends a crucial message to victims.
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