New Delhi:
Law Minister Kapil Sibal today said he was "disappointed" with the Supreme Court for not proceeding against Justice AK Ganguly in the alleged sexual harassment case, calling it a failure on the top court's part to protect a "woman's dignity."
Justice Ganguly, who retired from the Supreme Court last year, is accused of sexually harassing an intern at a five-star hotel in Delhi last December; a Supreme Court panel concluded yesterday that he indulged in "unwelcome verbal/non-verbal conduct of sexual nature."
"They have given some kind of prima facie observation that sexual overtures were made. In that case, why did they wash their hands off the matter?" asked Mr Sibal. (
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"We all know that ultimately the infallible are also ordinary mortals... this is a case where the dignity of a woman is involved," the minister said.
The Law Minister was commenting on Chief Justice P Sathasivam's statement that no follow-up action would be taken in the case since Justice Ganguly had retired when the alleged violation took place.
When asked whether Justice Ganguly should resign as the West Bengal Human Rights Commission chairman, Mr Sibal said, "I am only concerned with the institution and the manner in which the matter has been dealt with."
But senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley, who like Mr Sibal is a noted lawyer, has demanded that Justice Ganguly resign and face investigations.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has written to President Pranab Mukherjee seeking "urgent appropriate action" against him. Her Law Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said with that action, the ball had been set rolling for Justice Ganguly's resignation.
Derek O Brien from Ms Banerjee's party said, "I have urged Mr Ganguly to resign from the human rights panel membership."
But noted lawyer and BJP leader Ram Jethmalani said, "Why does not the girl complain? He is not under any obligation to resign."
Today, the Delhi Police took the first step towards criminal action against Justice Ganguly by asking the intern to give a formal statement in an email sent last night.