Justice Ramana recuses from panel, terms aspersions against him baseless

Justice N V Ramana, who recused himself from the in-house inquiry panel set up to examine the allegations of sexual harassment against Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, Thursday termed as "baseless and unfounded" the "aspersions" cast by a former woman employee of the apex court on him.

Opting himself out of the three-member in-house inquiry committee, Justice Ramana said he has recused only to "avoid any suspicion that this institution will not conduct itself in keeping with the highest standards of judicial propriety and wisdom".

In a letter to Justice S A Bobde, who is heading the panel, Justice Ramana said his recusal was a clear message to the nation that there should be no fears about "probity in our institution, and that we will not refrain from going to any extent to protect the trust reposed in us".

The woman, in her letter to the panel on Wednesday, expressed objection to the presence of Justice Ramana in the committee on the ground that he is a close friend of the CJI and a regular visitor to his house.

She had also raised question over the presence of only one woman apex court judge -- Banerjee -- in the panel to examine her allegations against the CJI which is not in accordance with Vishaka Guidelines.

She had said that as per the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court in the Vishaka judgement, for holding inquiry into the allegations of sexual harassment at work place, the committee must have a majority of women.

In her letter, she had also alleged that the CJI, by sitting in a bench on Saturday, had made certain statements without even hearing her which has "damaged" her character.

"My character was damaged as without any reason and without hearing me. It was said that I have criminal cases against me," the woman had said.

In his letter to Justice Bobde, Justice Ramana, however, made clear that his recusal has nothing to do with the "aspersions" cast on him by the complainant woman.

"I categorically reject these baseless and unfounded aspersions on my capacity to render impartial judgment in this matter, in consonance with the best traditions of judicial propriety and the integrity of this honourable court," he said.

On the issue of his visit to CJI Gogoi's residence, Justice Ramana said, "I am, like any other judge of the honourable Supreme Court, required to attend official meetings at the home office of the Chief Justice of India."