The judge worked for 34 years and faced embarrassment due to the allegations, the superior court was told.
New Delhi:
The Supreme Court today issued a notice to the High Court of Madhya Pradesh, as it suspended the action against a district judge accused of sexual harassment. “It has become a practice to complain against judges who are about to be promoted,” the highest court said this afternoon while listening to the case.
“This is happening far too often now. When someone is about to (get) a promotion … immediately, he becomes a bad man, otherwise he is good,” Supreme Court Chief Justice SA Bobde said.
A bank headed by the Chief Justice was hearing an appeal from the Madhya Pradesh district judge accused of sexual harassment.
The judge had moved the higher court against the higher court after his petition to dismiss the sexual harassment charges against him was dismissed. In 2018, a magistrate alleged that she was sexually harassed by the judge; will retire this year.
Lead attorney Colonel RR Balasubramanium, representing the petitioner, told the high court today: “Without warning him, a district judge conducted a discreet investigation in accordance with (the) order of the high court, which found him guilty. But when the report was sent to the gender awareness committee, the complainant – the judicial officer – did not come to present evidence despite repeated reminders (sent to her). “
Mr. Balasubramanium said that the gender committee did not say that his client was “guilty”, but alleged “misconduct” due to some WhatsApp messages exchanged between the plaintiff and the petitioner. The committee wanted disciplinary action against the district judge, he added.
The judge worked for 34 years and faced embarrassment due to the allegations, the attorney said, adding that “he was going to be considered for promotion,” which would have postponed his retirement.
After hearing the arguments, the higher court stayed the action against the petitioner ordered by the higher court.
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