Ex-LS Speaker Somnath Chatterjee defends former SC judge Ganguly

Former Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee on Tuesday defended retired Supreme Court judge A.K. Ganguly on the sexual harassment case allegedly linked to him, and asked what was the outcome of the enquiry of the Supreme Court appointed panel probing the charges against the latter.

"I don't know on what authority the Supreme Court panel did not debunk forthwith , and now they have decided not to touch this case. So, why this exception was made and what is the outcome of it? Nothing," he said

On being asked whether the case was motivated by malafide intentions, he said, "I would not say malafide, but it was done over jealousness."

Earlier Justice Ganguly denied the allegations made against him by a 22-year-old lawyer who had interned with him and said he was "shocked and shattered". He has said that he has done nothing wrong and that there is no reason for him to resign as chairman of the West Bengal Human Rights Commission (WBHRC).

Ganguly has presided over numerous cases involving crimes against women in his career as a judge. He denied all allegations and refused to answer any question.

"I will not be answering any of your questions. According to me, I have not done anything wrong. I do not want to answer any questions," said Ganguly.

The Supreme Court set up a three-judge panel, which heard testimonies from both, the law intern and Ganguly and submitted its report to the Chief Justice of India, P. Sathasivam, naming Ganguly as the accused.

The alleged sexual molestation incident is said to have taken place in a five-star hotel in Delhi last December.