Former Supreme Court judge AK Ganguly
A day after former Supreme Court judge AK Ganguly was indicted by a panel of judges for allegedly sexually harassing an intern, the Delhi police have taken the first step towards criminal action and contacted the young woman.
The police have reportedly sent the woman an email asking her to record her statement on the alleged sexual harassment. If she agrees, then Justice Ganguly may face a criminal case.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has also written to the President seeking "urgent appropriate action" against Justice Ganguly, who has often been critical of her government. The 66-year-old former judge is currently the chairman of the state's Human Rights Commission.
"Don't disturb me, I have tolerated a lot," he angrily told journalist today.
Last night, the Delhi police sought legal advice after a Supreme Court inquiry concluded that Justice Ganguly indulged in "unwelcome verbal/non-verbal conduct of sexual nature" in a five-star hotel in Delhi.
According to the Chief Justice of India, P Sathasivam, the inquiry panel had decided that "no further follow up action is required" because the woman's internship with Justice Ganguly was a private placement and he had retired when the alleged violation took place. Justice Ganguly retired from the Supreme Court in February 2012.
The woman lawyer had blogged last month that a judge she was interning for had harassed her in a five-star hotel room on Christmas Eve. She did not name the judge. (
Read entire blog on Indian Journal of Law and Society here)
Three Supreme Court judges were appointed to investigate the case against him, based on media reports. Both Justice Ganguly and the young woman testified for the committee.
The top court said on Thursday that it will not entertain any complaints against its former judges. Sources have told NDTV that one more complaint of sexual harassment by a retired Supreme Court Judge has been sent to the court.