Lawyers' bodies seek resignation of Justice Swatanter Kumar

Members of two lawyers' bodies and a human rights organisation today called for the immediate resignation of National Green Tribunal (NGT) Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar over allegations of sexual harassment levelled against him by a former law intern.

Justice Kumar has described the intern's allegations as "incredulous and false" and part of "some kind of conspiracy".

The All India Legal Aid Forum (AILAF), Human Rights Defence International (HRDI) and the All India Bar Association (AIBA) called for the former Supreme Court judge to step down for the alleged "sexual misconduct" during his tenure as a sitting apex court judge.

In a statement here, the three bodies sought Kumar's resignation within seven days, "failing which" they would hold a dharna at the NGT.

They also condemned Kumar's decision to send legal notices to a newspaper and two TV channels for making public the contents of the affidavit filed by the intern.

They said that a memorandum would be sent to the President of India seeking immediate removal of Kumar from the post of the NGT chairperson and sought a boycott of the tribunal's proceedings until Kumar tendered his resignation.

Supreme Court will tomorrow hear the intern's plea challenging its December 5, 2013, full court resolution in which it was decided that no complaint would be entertained against its retired judges.

The intern has made Kumar, Secretary General of Supreme Court, and the Union of India, parties in the case.

She has submitted that Justice Kumar was a sitting judge at the time of the alleged incident and called for the apex court to look into the complaint as per Vishaka guidelines.