NLSIU alumni express disappointment over 'informal' procedure in probe against CJI

The alumni of the National Law School of India University has expressed "disappointment" over the "informal" procedure being followed by the in-house inquiry committee probing the allegations of sexual harassment against Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi.

A statement signed by the alumni said the committee was not following the practices set out under the POSH Act and Vishakha guidelines.

"We express our disappointment that, in establishing an ad-hoc in-house committee that is said to be following an unstated 'informal' set of procedures, the Supreme Court appears to have fallen well below these best practices," it said.

It was signed by 165 alumnus, including lawyers Maneka Guruswamy, Sonal Mattoo and Maanav Kumar, and it endorsed the articles written by Women In Criminal Law Association, calling for best practices to be followed in the issue.

"It is our view that the Supreme Court must hold itself to the highest standards in cases involving allegations of sexual harassment. We do not believe that has happened in the instant case", said the letter.

Stating that the atmosphere of the in-house committee was "frightening", the woman who alleged sexual harassment by the chief justice of India has decided not to participate in the proceedings.

The complainant used to work as a junior court assistant at the top court. On April 19, she wrote to 22 Supreme Court judges, alleging that Gogoi had made sexual advances towards her at his residence office on October 10 and 11.