Sources said the woman pointed out that only one woman judge was on the panel, namely Justice Indira Banerjee. She also claimed that, without going into the merits of her allegations, some people have been taking recourse to her character assassination.
New Delhi: The woman who levelled sexual harassment charges against Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi has expressed her reservation against the Justice SS Bobde-led internal panel constituted to investigate her case.
In a letter written to the panel, the complainant claimed that Justice NV Ramana, one of the judges investigating the case, is a "close friend" of the CJI.
The woman has claimed further that Justice Ramana was a regular visitor to the CJI's residence.
Sources said the woman also pointed out that only one woman judge was on the panel, namely Justice Indira Banerjee. She also claimed that, without going into the merits of her allegations, some people have been taking recourse to her character assassination.
Also read: CJI Ranjan Gogoi rubbishes sexual harassment complaint by former staff member
The 35-year-old woman, who on April 19 sent a complaint to 22 judges of the apex court accusing the CJI of sexual misconduct, also claimed that the constitution of the panel was not in accordance with the Vishakha guidelines, which says that the panel should have a woman majority and a woman member from outside to maintain transparency.
"I want to ask if your lordship will consider my apprehensions and fear while going into my case. I have been harmed a lot and I think my plight and that of my family will be relieved soon. I am nobody in front of your lordship, but I have my truth with me. I will get justice if my case is heard without bias and independently," she is learnt to have written in the letter to the panel.
The Supreme Court promulgated Vishakha Guidelines in 1997 to use them in cases of sexual harassment. The guidelines were further superseded in 2013 by the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.
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