Kolkata:
In another blow to Justice AK Ganguly, accused of sexually harassing a former law intern, the National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS), Kolkata has decided to dissociate itself from the retired Supreme Court judge. Justice Ganguly is an honorary professor at the institution.
"Vice Chancellor of NUJS, Kolkata, Mr P Ishwara Bhatt has agreed to 'disassociate' institution from Justice AK Ganguly," said Ruchira Goswami, NUJS spokesperson and faculty.
Ms Goswami is among 12 faculty members who in a mail to the Vice Chancellor today demanded that the institution dissociate itself from Justice Ganguly over the sexual harassment case against him.
"Considering the nature of allegations, and noting that the girl was a student, and the former judge was an honorary professor of NUJS at the time of incident, we feel that the latter's continued association with our institution undermines the ideals of NUJS, an institution that has always strived to teach and foster justice, including gender justice," said the statement by the faculty.
The vice chancellor wrote back saying he appreciates the position of the faculty and will issue a statement as soon as NUJS reopens after winter break in January.
The final decision to remove Justice Ganguly from NJUS rolls will be taken by the institution's executive council, which will meet in the first week of January.
The woman, who has accused Justice Ganguly of sexual harassment, was also a student at NUJS, Kolkata. She has said in a signed statement that at a hotel room in Delhi last December, Justice Ganguly told her he loved her and suggested that she share his room with him. Justice Ganguly has claimed it was "a cordial meeting followed by dinner."
He has refused to quit as the Chairman of the West Bengal Human Rights Commission, but the government is exploring a presidential reference for his removal.