The woman had moved the top court alleging that the probe panel appointed by the state High Court was not fair. (Representational Image)
New Delhi:
The Supreme Court today ordered the removal of a senior judge accused of sexually harassing a woman judge in Madhya Pradesh from administrative and supervisory work, and said a panel appointed by the state's Chief Justice to investigate the allegation was illegal.
The court also asked the Chief Justice of India to set up a new panel to examine the sexual harassment charge against the judge, accused by a district judge of repeatedly harassing her, asking her to dance to a Bollywood song at his home, and transferring her to a remote court when she refused his advances.
The Madhya Pradesh chief justice had "gone beyond his authority in constituting the two member panel," the Supreme Court said, adding that he should not be in the new panel as he had "taken a view" in the case.
The woman had moved the top court alleging that the probe panel appointed by the state Chief Justice was not fair.
The top court significantly said the in-house procedure for probing allegations against judges should be made public and put up on the Supreme Court website.
Earlier this year, the accused judge had, in a letter to then Chief Justice of India, RM Lodha, strongly refuted the charges against him and said he was willing to accept "the death penalty" if found guilty.
On the instructions of the Chief Justice, the Madhya Pradesh Chief Justice formed a panel to investigate her charges. But the woman says that the Chief Justice was biased against her, and must not be part of any inquiry.
The court also asked the Chief Justice of India to set up a new panel to examine the sexual harassment charge against the judge, accused by a district judge of repeatedly harassing her, asking her to dance to a Bollywood song at his home, and transferring her to a remote court when she refused his advances.
The Madhya Pradesh chief justice had "gone beyond his authority in constituting the two member panel," the Supreme Court said, adding that he should not be in the new panel as he had "taken a view" in the case.
The woman had moved the top court alleging that the probe panel appointed by the state Chief Justice was not fair.
The top court significantly said the in-house procedure for probing allegations against judges should be made public and put up on the Supreme Court website.
Earlier this year, the accused judge had, in a letter to then Chief Justice of India, RM Lodha, strongly refuted the charges against him and said he was willing to accept "the death penalty" if found guilty.
On the instructions of the Chief Justice, the Madhya Pradesh Chief Justice formed a panel to investigate her charges. But the woman says that the Chief Justice was biased against her, and must not be part of any inquiry.
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
