MP addl judge quits after sexual harassment by HC judge, CJI steps in

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: An additional district and sessions judge in Gwalior has resigned after she was allegedly sexual harassed by a sitting judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court.

As per a report published in a leading daily, the woman judge in her complaint alleged that the HC judge wanted her to "perform dance on an item song" at a function in his residence but she managed to avoid it citing some personal work. After she refused to yield to her advances, the administrative judge subjected her work as judge to intense scrutiny.

When he failed to find any fault, the HC judge transferred her from Gwalior to a remote place in Madhya Pradesh during the middle of academic session, disrupting her daughter`s education.

What`s worrying is that the woman judge was the chairperson of District Vishaka Committee, formed to take up cases of sexual harassment against woman but could not save herself from harassment.

The woman judge also claimed that the Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh High Court declined to meet her when she wanted to apprise him of the situation. She said she was left with no option but to resign to save her dignity, womanhood, self-esteem and career of her daughter.

The Chief Justice of India RM Lodha has take note of the issue and said that he will initiate action against a sitting judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court after getting a report from the Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh High Court.

Justice Lodha said that the complaint is not before him nor has he received a complaint from the woman judge.

The CJI said that he will seek a report from the MP HC Chief Justice after a formal complaint is received while terming the development as “unfortunate”.