Responding to the findings of the In-House Committee probing the allegations of sexual harassment against CJI Ranjan Gogoi, the complainant, in a letter, said she was "shocked" that the Committee found "no substance" in her complaint and affidavit.
“I am shocked that the Committee has come to an adverse finding against me despite the fact that I was compelled to withdraw from the Committee since the Committee did not observe even the most basic principles of natural justice,” she said, in the letter.
She also demanded a copy of the report submitted by the Committee.
“I have a right to the report, the reasons for the same, as well as copies of the depositions of any witnesses, any other persons or any other evidence considered by the Committee,” she said.
Here is a copy of the letter:
‘Travesty of Justice’
“Besides this, as is being reported by the media, if a copy of the report is being given to the CJI directly or indirectly, I am entitled to a copy thereof in any case,” she added.
The woman also said that it was “rather strange” that a complainant in a case of sexual harassment was not provided with a copy of the report which finds her complaint to be without substance.
She also alleged that she had been treated as an outsider and was not been informed of the procedure, her basic rights and obligations with regard to the inquiry proceedings.
“From the beginning, there has been a lack of transparency in the functioning of the Committee and great prejudice is being caused to me repeatedly,” she said.
Not providing her with a copy, she said, would be a “violation of the principles of natural justice and a complete travesty of justice”.
Earlier in the day, around 50 women activists and lawyers, protesting against the alleged failure of “due process” in the CJI sexual harassment case, were detained by the Delhi Police citing Section 144, from outside the Supreme Court. They were released after almost 3.5 hours.
The protesters and few journalists were forcibly removed from outside the court premises and taken to the Mandir Marg police station.
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