CJI Takes On Sexual Harassment in Judiciary After UP Judge’s Cry for Help

New Delhi: Chief Justice of India, Justice DY Chandrachud, has initiated an inquiry into allegations of sexual harassment made by a woman judge in Uttar Pradesh. The judge, posted in Banda district, penned a letter to the Chief Justice, detailing the distressing workplace environment and pleading for euthanasia.

Chief Justice Chandrachud directed Supreme Court Secretary General Atul M Kurhekar to seek a status update from the Allahabad High Court. Kurhekar, in turn, wrote to the Registrar General of the Allahabad High Court, requesting information on all complaints filed by the woman judge. The Supreme Court secretariat also sought a status report on the proceedings before the Internal Complaints Committee handling the case.

The woman judge’s letter, which gained traction on social media, highlighted instances of abuse and sexual harassment by a specific District Judge and associates. She expressed deep disappointment with the lack of action from the Allahabad High Court Chief Justice and administrative judge after her initial complaint. Despite approaching the Internal Complaints Committee, she described the proposed inquiry as a “Farce and a Sham.”

The emotional plea concluded with the judge requesting permission from the CJI to end her life in a dignified manner. The distressing letter sheds light on the challenges faced by women in the legal profession and raises questions about the efficacy of existing mechanisms for addressing workplace harassment.