Law intern moves SC against ex-judge Swatanter Kumar

New Delhi: A law intern, who has accused former Supreme Court judge Justice Swatanter Kumar of sexual harassment, on Monday moved the Supreme Court seeking inquiry in the case. A bench headed by Chief Justice P Sathasivam, before whom the matter was mentioned for urgent hearing, agreed to take up the case on January 15.

The intern, in the petition, challenged the apex court’s December 5, 2013 full court resolution in which it was decided that no complaint against its retired judges will be entertained. The intern has made Secretary General of Supreme Court, Justice (retd) Swatanter Kumar and the Centre parties in the case.

The petitioner also submitted that a proper forum be constituted to conduct inquiry in such cases and her complaint be also looked into by the apex court like it was done in the case of sexual harassment allegations against Justice (retd) AK Ganguly. She submitted that Justice Kumar was a sitting judge at the time of the alleged incident and the apex court must look into the complaint as per Vishaka guidelines.

The law graduate alleged harassment when she was interning with Justice Kumar in May 2011 in his office. Justice Kumar, who is currently heading the National Green Tribunal, has described the allegations as “incredulous and false” and “some kind of conspiracy”.