SC Reinstates Woman Employee Who Accused Ex-CJI Of Harassment

The junior court assistant who had accused former CJI Ranjan Gogoi of harassment has been reinstated by the Supreme Court. After she accused the former CJI of making sexual advances in October 2018, she claimed that she was transferred and then terminated from service. According to the Indian Express, she has now joined duty and all her arrears have been cleared.

Key Takeaways:

• A former junior court assistant at the Supreme Court of India had accused the former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi of making sexual advances towards her at his residence office.
• Former CJI Gogoi was, however, given a clean chit by the SC in-house inquiry panel, stating that they failed to find any substance in the allegations raised against the then CJI.
• The woman had claimed that after she raised the allegations against the former CJI, she was transferred and later, terminated from the job.
• The woman has now been reinstated by the Supreme Court and all her arrears have also been cleared.

The woman has now been reinstated by the Supreme Court. She is currently on leave and for the time she was not allowed to work, she has been paid arrears.

History Of The Case

A 35-year-old former junior assistant at the Supreme Court had alleged former CJI Ranjan Gogoi of making sexual advances towards her. According to Scroll, the woman said, “He hugged me around the waist, and touched me all over my body with his arms and by pressing his body against mine, and did not let go,” she wrote in the affidavit sent with a covering letter. “He told me ‘hold me’, he did not let go of me despite the fact that I froze and tried to get out of his embrace by stiffening and moving my body away.” However, he was given a clean chit by the SC In-house inquiry panel, stating that they failed to find any substance in the allegations raised against the then CJI.

Also Read: Chandigarh Court Says Absence Of Injury On Rape Survivor Indicates Consent

The woman had also complained that her husband and brother-in-law were expelled from their jobs as well. However, in June 2019, both her husband and brother-in-law were reinstated as the head constables in Delhi Police. The Additional Commissioner of Police (Delhi Armed police) C K Mein confirmed the revocation of suspension order but didn't reveal the reason behind the same.

After the former CJI was given a clean chit, the woman said that she was terrified. “I am now extremely scared and terrified because the In-House Committee, despite having all material placed before them, appears to have given me no justice or protection and said nothing about the absolutely malafide dismissals and suspensions, indignities and humiliations suffered by me and my family. I and my family members remain vulnerable to the ongoing reprisals and attack”, she said.

Joined Duty And Proceeded On Leave

The woman has now been reinstated by the Supreme Court. She is currently on leave and for the time she was not allowed to work, she has been paid arrears.

Picture Credit- STP

Also Read: Chandigarh Court Acquits Rape Accused, As No Injuries On Survivor's Body