CJI sexual-harassment case: Justice AP Shah says, ‘this going to haunt Supreme Court in years to come’  

Justice AP Shah

Former Delhi high court Chief Justice AP Shah, while commenting upon the alleged sexual-harassment case against Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and the manner it was disposed of,  said “this episode is going to haunt the Supreme Court for years to come.”

Shah comments come amid on a day the in-house inquiry committee found “no substance” in allegations of sexual harassment against Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and gave him a clean chit.

During an interview with Indian Express, he said, “I have read the 29-page affidavit completely, on the sexual harassment and victimization of the former employee of the Supreme Court. As a judge, I don’t accept anything on face value. But I thought the affidavit was quite detailed, and perhaps needs to be probed.”

Over clean chit to CJI Ranjan Gogoi, he said, “I am extremely disturbed by how this inquiry has been held. Initially it seemed as though the Supreme Court was looking to remedy the situation brought about by the extraordinary hearing. Now, I believe as per the law laid down in Indira Jaising’s case, the report of this inquiry’s will not be available to the public, nor can anyone challenge this in-house inquiry. So, all this has ended in a complete mockery of justice.”

He then said this case will haunt the Supreme Court for years.

“The Supreme Court is too important an institution to let things go like this. No other institution carries so much trust of the people. This is the only institution that has saved democracy, and given life to the Constitution. I believe, like ADM Jabalpur, this episode is going to haunt the Supreme Court in the years to come.”

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