Justice AK Ganguly (File photo)
The Union Cabinet is likely to take a decision today on sending a Presidential reference to the Supreme Court for conducting a probe into allegations of sexual harassment against Justice AK Ganguly, who is accused of sexually harassing a young law intern.
"The Home Ministry will place a note before the cabinet tomorrow. The cabinet will take a call," Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said yesterday.
Sources said once the Cabinet clears the proposal, it will be sent to President Pranab Mukherjee for approval. Since the President can only act on the advice of the Cabinet, he had referred the matter to the government.
Once the Cabinet gives its nod, the reference will be sent to the President, who will then send the matter to the Chief Justice of India seeking a probe into the issue based on the points raised in the reference.
Sources said the Home Ministry will also place before the Cabinet views of Attorney General GE Vahanvati, who had noted that a case can be made out against 66-year-old Justice Ganguly following allegations of "unwelcome behaviour" towards the law intern.
The Attorney General's suggestions came after his views were invited in a letter to the President by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee seeking Justice Ganguly's removal from the chairmanship of West Bengal Human Rights Commission.
Justice Ganguly has strongly denied the charge and refused to quit despite massive outrage against him holding on to the post.
Last week, the law intern had hinted at filing a police complaint against Justice Ganguly after he wrote to Chief Justice of India, claiming that "powerful interests" against whom he had ruled as a judge were tarnishing his image.