The Indian judiciary is faced with major challenges. At its apex is a crisis, with Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi faced allegations of sexual harassment from a junior court staff, a lady who has sent her complaint letter to 22 judges. The CJI vehemently denies this, and says it is part of a larger conspiracy. It could be so, given the kind of intrigues that take place in top seats of power and authority in India today. It could also be that the complaint is genuine. What is necessary here is to follow due procedure so that the matter is set to rest whatever be the outcome.
The woman’s complaint is of a serious nature. She alleges sexual harassment after she refused to oblige the CJI who made “advances” towards her in his office room. He allegedly took in writing from her that what happened was at her prompting. She also stated that her husband and other family members lost their jobs after the incident. The CJI notes, in response, that the woman and her husband had a criminal past, and that they were facing police cases of such nature. Unless the matter is investigated by following the rules set forth in the Sexual Harassment Act, 2013 – a process followed in all other institutions the truth is unlikely to emerge.
In effect, the Indian judiciary as a whole is facing a major embarrassment, especially since a special hearing was called on Saturday last with the CJI presiding over it but not putting his signature to the proceedings. Coming at a time when the Supreme Court is hearing important cases related to the Rafale aircraft deal amongst others, the allegations have only muddied the waters further. Notably and appreciably, the Indian judiciary has maintained a high level of integrity for long years. At least this is our perception. In recent years, though there have also been serious allegations against some judges. One came to be known as the crores-for-bail scam in which some judges of the Hyderabad high court and a mining baron were involved. There were allegations against a former CJI having acquired wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income.
Judges in the past were known for their high standards of behaviour. They conducted themselves with dignity. What happened now must be seen as an aberration. This is a wake-up call to the judiciary. Hope and expectation are that the judges will retain the high standards of judicial excellence and personal conduct in future too.