Move Afoot in Rajya Sabha to Impeach Judge Accused of Sexual Harassment

On a day Rajya Sabha took up a discussion on a documentary featuring the rapist in the December 16 Delhi gang-rape case, 58 lawmakers gave a notice to Chairman Hamid Ansari to start impeachment proceedings against a Madhya Pradesh Judge accused of Sexual Harassment.

The lawmakers of Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Parliament, have submitted the motion which is now being verified.

Those who signed it include Jaya Bachchan and Anu Agha, the two main speakers during the debate on the documentary "India's Daughter".
After verifying the notice, the House will constitute an inquiry committee against the judge. The committee will include jurists, Chief Justice of a High Court and nominee of the Chief Justice of India.

In December, the Supreme Court had removed the judge from administrative and supervisory work after a judge of the district court accused him of repeatedly harassing her and transferring her to a remote court when she refused his advances.

An inquiry is on into the charges against him.

The other MPs who have signed the notice include Sharad yadav Sitaram Yechury, Digvijay Singh and KTS Tulsi.

The upper house had witnessed a heated debate on the ban on the airing of the documentary, made by British film-maker Leslee Udwin.

Some of the lawmakers contended that the documentary exposed the mindset of many in the country and banning it will not help women.