Cabinet clears note for presidential reference against ex-SC judge Ganguly

The Central government on Thursday cleared a note for a presidential reference for the removal of former Supreme Court judge, Justice A.K. Ganguly as head of the West Bengal Human Rights Commission (WBHRC) in connection with sexual harassment allegations made against him by a law intern.

After the cabinet nod, the central government will now send a formal proposal to President Pranab Mukherjee seeking his consent to begin process of removing Justice Ganguly.

After getting the President's consent, a three-member panel will be formed to probe charges of alleged misconduct against Justice Ganguly, and if found guilty, prime facie, the former apex court judge will be sacked as the head of WBHRC.

Justice Ganguly has been under the scanner for sexually harassing a law intern in December last year and was also indicted by an apex court panel, which probed the case.

The retired apex court judge, however, remains defiant so far despite mounting pressure on him to quit from several quarters.

Asked whether he will resign as West Bengal Human Rights Commission chairman after being accused of sexual harassment by a law intern, Ganguly said, "I have not decided anything."

Ahead of the cabinet decision, Attorney General G E Vahanvati had stated that a case could be made out against Justice Ganguly.

Justice Ganguly has denied sexually harassing the law intern.

The three-judge committee had earlier probed the allegations of sexual harassment against Justice Ganguly and had prima facie found an "act of unwelcome behaviour" and "conduct of sexual nature" on the part of the retired judge.