New Delhi:
The Supreme Court today dismissed a plea questioning its decision to appoint a panel of judges to investigate sexual harassment allegations against Justice AK Ganguly, with Chief Justice of India P Sathasivam saying, "We don't need to explain to everyone who appear before us why did we appoint the committee."
Last month, the committee of three Supreme Court judges found Justice Ganguly guilty of sexually harassing an intern at a five-star hotel in Delhi in December 2012. The panel indicted the former judge for what it called "unwelcome behaviour" and "conduct of sexual nature" towards the young woman, but said no action could be taken as Justice Ganguly had retired before the incident.
The Supreme Court today also dismissed another Public Interest Litigation (PIL) which wanted the complaint of sexual harassment against the former judge quashed.
Justice Ganguly is under intense political pressure to step down as the Chairman of the West Bengal Human Rights Commission. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had, in fact, written to President Pranab Mukherjee seeking Mr Ganguly's removal.
He is reportedly planning to step down as the chief of the West Bengal human rights panel. Sources say the 66-year-old former judge doesn't want to face the embarrassment of a Presidential reference seeking his removal as head of the commission and is likely to submit his resignation to Governor MK Narayanan soon.
Last week, the Union Cabinet had cleared a request for a Presidential reference on the controversy, which could help in forcibly removing Justice Ganguly from his present post. The President would formally request the Supreme Court to submit a report on the controversy to him.
If the court indicts the retired judge, then the President will order Justice Ganguly's removal.