DU students demand special probe panel

New Delhi, April 22

Students of Law Faculty of Delhi University today demanded a special probe committee comprising Supreme Court judges be set up to enquire into the allegations of sexual harassment against Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi made by a former junior court assistant.

Taking a strong exception to the way the matter was handled by the apex court, they said, "In the interests of justice for women and the integrity of our judiciary a special enquiry committee comprising retired SC judges be set up to enquire into the complaint of sexual harassment against the CJI.

"We express deep concern at the manner in which the CJI and the Supreme Court have responded to grave and serious charges of sexual harassment by a woman," read a statement issued by the students of the Law Faculty.

They argued that a sexual harassment complaint against a sitting judge should not be construed as a "threat to the judiciary's independence" as Justice Gogoi and his brother judges and the country's Solicitor General and Attorney General have done.

"Judges cannot be allowed to enjoy immunity from sexual harassment complaints. Instead, a transparent, free, and fair process is needed to enquire into such complaints. Instead of taking this opportunity to set a high standard for such enquiries, the CJI and the SC have instead set the poorest possible example," they stated. — TNS