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Sexual Harassment Allegations Against Ex-Judge : Supreme Court Asks If It Is Necessary To Go On With Defamation Suit
Sohini Chowdhury
9 Jan 2023 10:18 AM GMT
While hearing a petition moved by a woman in 2014 seeking transfer of a defamation suit filed by a former judge of the Supreme Court from Delhi High Court, the Supreme Court, on Monday, raised a query whether it is necessary to go on with the defamation suit. The former judge had filed the defamation suit against the woman in the Delhi High Court after she alleged that she was sexually...
While hearing a petition moved by a woman in 2014 seeking transfer of a defamation suit filed by a former judge of the Supreme Court from Delhi High Court, the Supreme Court, on Monday, raised a query whether it is necessary to go on with the defamation suit.
The former judge had filed the defamation suit against the woman in the Delhi High Court after she alleged that she was sexually harassed by him while she was a law intern.
A Bench comprising Justice KM Joseph and Justice BV Nagarathna asked the Counsels representing the former judge if it was necessary to pursue the defamation suit. As the Counsels appraised the Bench that they would seek instructions regarding the same, it directed the matter to be listed next on 24th February, 2023.
In the transfer petition, the petitioner raised apprehensions regarding lack of fair trial in the Delhi High Court by contending that the peers of the plaintiff are holding positions in judiciary. The petitioner therefore sought transfer of the suit to her native city. The Supreme Court had stayed the suit proceedings while admitting the transfer petition.
On a previous occasion, Senior Counsel Mukul Rohatgi appearing on behalf of the former judge had apprised the Apex Court that the issue raised in the transfer petition is no longer relevant as the colleagues of the ex-judge have retired from the High Court.
While considering the defamation suit, the Delhi High Court had passed a restraint order against the media in relation to the reporting of the allegations and the publication of the judge's photographs.
