Sexual harassment cases can’t be ignored: SC

The Supreme Court on Friday said it cannot allow sexual harassment cases to be swept under the carpet while refusing to interfere with disciplinary proceedings initiated against a former district judge by Madhya Pradesh high court.

The bench headed by Chief Justice Sharad A. Bobde and also comprising Justices A.S. Bopanna and V. Ramasubramanian said that this while hearing a petition by a former district judge of Madhya Pradesh, challenging the disciplinary proceedings initiated against him by Madhya Pradesh high court in the wake of a junior judicial officer making complaint of alleged sexual harassment against him for sending inappropriate messages.

The top court asked the judge to withdraw the petition challenging the disciplinary proceedings.

Asking the senior advocate R. Balasubramanian appearing for petitioner judge facing disciplinary inquiry to withdraw the petition and instead face the inquiry, the Chief Justice Bobde said, “You are walking on very thin ice. You may have a chance that you may be acquitted. But as matters stand now, you are convicted. Sexual harassment allegations cannot be brushed under the carpet like this”.

After hearing the matter, the top court said it will pass a short order dealing with the petitioner’s contention and then dismiss the petition.

Sensing what is going to court from the court, the petitioner judge’s lawyer asked the court to allow him to withdraw the petition with the liberty to participate in the inquiry.