The BJP and the Trinamool Congress on Friday raised the Justice (retd) AK Ganguly sexual harassment case in the Parliament.
They demanded the removal of former Supreme Court judge, accused of harassing a law intern, from the post of West Bengal Human Rights Commission chairman saying he has lost moral rights to hold such a high position.
Raising the issue in lok Sabha, leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj said the incidents involving the former Supreme Court Judge and Tehelka founder Tarun Tejpal, who is accused of sexually assaulting a junior colleague, were unpardonable.
“On ethical ground he should have resigned by now. But he is stubbornly sticking to his post. He should immediately resign or else he should be removed from his post,” she said.
Justice Ganguly has been indicted by a three-judge Supreme Court panel for “unwelcome behaviour” and “conduct of sexual nature” against a law intern who alleged that he had made advances towards her in a hotel room in Delhi in December last year.
Swaraj said the relation between guardian and ward is of trust and faith and these two incidents have shaken it. She said since Ganguly was holding a high position, he should not be allowed to go scot free.
Referring to the December 16, 2012 incident of gang rape of a girl in Delhi, Swaraj said at that time the whole country was outraged over the incident and a stricter law was passed with the hope that such a crime would not be repeated.
Trinamool Congress leader Sudip Bandopadhya endorsed Swaraj’s view saying Ganguly should resign immediately. He said these “heinous crimes” cannot be tolerated and such persons should not be allowed to occupy a high post.
ASG Indira Jaising asks PM to remove Ganguly as WBHRC chief
India’s first woman ASG, Indira Jaising, who has been vocal in her criticism against former Supreme Court Judge AK Ganguly following his role in a sexual harassment case, on Friday shot a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to initiate action for the Judge’s removal as WBHRC chief.
In her letter, Jaising asked the PM to request the President for a reference to the Supreme Court, the first step under law for initiating Justice Ganguly’s removal.
Confirming about the letter, ASG said, “I have written a letter to the PM for initiating action for removal of Justice AK Ganguly as the chairman of WBHRC.”
Jaising said, “It is for the PM and the Cabinet to decide and ask the President to make a reference to the Supreme Court for his removal.” West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has also written to the President seeking Ganguly’s removal.