Senior advocates Indira Jaising and Anand Grover on Wednesday, 8 May, claimed that they had been ‘victimised’ for taking up the issue of sexual harassment allegations leveled against CJI Ranjan Gogoi.
A press statement issued by the duo – and an organisation run by them called Lawyers Collective – states that a petition filed against them seeking criminal prosecution amounts to ‘victimisation of Jaising’ on account of her taking up the harassment issue against CJI Gogoi in ‘her personal capacity’.
It further adds that the CJI should have recused himself from hearing the petition.
“Considering that Jaising has been publicly vocal on the issue of due process of law in relation to the conduct of the in-house inquiry, the Chief Justice ought to have recused himself from hearing the matter,” the statement read.
The petition, filed by one “Lawyers Voice”, had come up for hearing before a Bench comprising CJI Gogoi himself and Justice Deepak Gupta. The Court had issued a notice in the matter today, Bar and Bench reported.
The statement further adds: “It has been brought to our knowledge that during the proceedings today, though the Petitioner’s advocate did not orally seek any interim orders, the Court has passed an order to the effect that the pendency of the petition will not come in the way of government agencies proceeding in the matter.”
The petition alleges “mis-utilisation of foreign funding” given to the Lawyers Collective, as per the report.
The press statement clarifies that Lawyers Collective has not received any foreign funding since 2016. Jaising and Grover have also rejected any claims of mis-utilisation of funds by their organisation.
Here is a copy of the letter:
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