Justice AK Ganguly (File photo)
The Union Cabinet today cleared the Presidential reference proposed by the Home Ministry on Justice AK Ganguly, who is accused of sexually harassing a young law intern.
The Cabinet reference to President Pranab Mukherjee clears the way for Justice Ganguly's removal as head of the West Bengal Human Rights Commission, a post he continues to hold despite massive clamour for him to quit, including by West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee.
Welcoming the Cabinet decision, Additional Solicitor General Indira Jaising said the due process that Justice Ganguly had been demanding has now been set in motion.
"Judges who want others to follow law should also follow it," she said. "Women's rights are human rights," she added.
Earlier in the day, Justice Ganguly said he has not yet 'decided' on quitting. "I don't want to comment now. I need some time to decide. Please give me some time. Later on, I will let you know," Justice Ganguly told PTI.
Since President of India can remove the 66-year-old former Supreme Court judge only on the advice of the Cabinet, he had referred the matter to the UPA government. The President is now likely to ask Chief Justice of India, P Sathasivam, to initiate probe into the issues raised in it.
A three-judge Supreme Court panel has indicted Justice Ganguly over allegations of sexual harassment of the law intern in December, 2012. He has strongly denied the charge and refused to quit.
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.